Family members of four U.S. Marines who tragically died in the 2022 Osprey V-22 crash have filed a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking justice and accountability for the incident. The lawsuit targets Boeing, Bell Trexton, Rolls Royce Corp., and Rolls Royce North America, accusing the companies of negligence related to the aircraft’s design and safety.
In June 2022, the Marines were part of a routine training mission with Camp Pendleton’s Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 when their Osprey, Swift 11, suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure known as a dual hard clutch engagement outside Glamis, California. The crash claimed the lives of John J. Sax, 33, Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, Nathan E. Carlson, 21, Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, and Evan A. Strickland, 19.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Thursday, alleges that the failure occurred due to the Osprey’s “lack of compliance” and states that no prior warning signs of the malfunction were detected. Plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $75,000 and have filed nine counts against the defendants, including breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Timothy Loranger, senior partner at Wisner Baum, expressed deep concern about the recurring failures of military aircraft manufacturers, especially in light of such devastating accidents. “As we approach Memorial Day weekend, we cannot help but think of the families of our service members who have lost their lives not in combat, but in training exercises here at home. Too many service members have perished due to the negligence and systemic failures of manufacturers of military aircraft,” Loranger said.
The Osprey V-22 has long been a controversial aircraft, known for its unique design that combines both helicopter and airplane capabilities. Despite its dual-pilot system and vertical takeoff and landing features, the Osprey has been involved in numerous deadly crashes over the past three decades, with more than 50 U.S. service members killed. Since the 2022 crash, the Osprey has experienced six additional incidents involving hard clutch engagements, according to the lawsuit.
Ospreys are equipped without ejection seats or parachutes, making them highly vulnerable in the event of an emergency. The complaint accuses the Osprey of failing to meet safety and reliability standards, asserting that the aircraft is unsafe to operate in either vertical or horizontal mode.
In response to the mounting concerns, the U.S. military temporarily grounded the Osprey fleet following a separate crash in November 2022, which resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. airmen off the coast of Japan. However, the Osprey was cleared to resume flights in March, despite ongoing safety investigations by the House Oversight Committee.
Amber Sax, the wife of Marine Corps Captain John Sax, emphasized the importance of recognizing the full gravity of the situation. “One life lost is too many; 20 is unfathomable,” she said. “There is a level of responsibility expected when you’re manufacturing, designing, and engineering aircraft that carry human lives.”
As the lawsuit progresses, the families of those lost are seeking both answers and accountability for the failures that led to the deaths of their loved ones.
