Lawmakers are pushing the Pentagon to re-ground the Osprey until safety concerns are resolved.

WASHINGTON — Three lawmakers are asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to consider resuming use of the military’s V-22 Osprey fleet until solutions are found to address safety and design problems identified by The Associated Press in its recent in-depth investigation into the incident. aircraft accident record.

In a letter sent to the Pentagon on Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Rep. Richard Neal, all of Massachusetts, wrote to Austin that “given current concerns about the safety of the V-22, the aircraft should be grounded and should not be deployed again until the platform’s significant deficiencies are fully addressed.”

The Osprey, which flies as both a helicopter and an airplane, has been involved in more than 21 major crashes, many of which can be attributed to choices made in its design, according to the AP.

The entire fleet was grounded for three months this year following a deadly disaster in Japan in November 2023 that killed eight service members. The Ospreys, in service with the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and used in the Presidential Navy, have now returned to flight service with some restrictions.

Osprey pilots told the AP they were reluctant to ground the plane, despite safety concerns, because of its unique capabilities. Program officials said they are working on fixes to improve the safety and reliability of the V-22.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

Lawmakers also cited an AP report that pilots have to use the V-22’s “temporary power” feature to be able to land safely, but they are discouraged from doing so because it can cause wear on parts. Temporary authority was a factor in the latest accident in October, when a Japanese Self-Defense Forces Osprey banked sharply and hit the ground on takeoff. The investigation found that the pilots were at fault for failing to turn on temporary power during takeoff.

“The reality for pilots is that they must maximize the aircraft’s capabilities to remain safe,” the lawmakers wrote.