Eyewitnesses reported that the flames caught fire, the plane carrying White House staff was grounded due to security issues

An Osprey used to transport White House staff and government officials from an event in New York on Monday was grounded due to safety concerns, with a witness reporting flames under the right engine.

Personnel and officials were removed from the aircraft, which was part of the Marine Corps HMX-1 presidential helicopter fleet, and transferred to a second Osprey to continue their journey, accompanying President Joe Biden at a “Friendship Day” event with members of the U.S. Coast Guard. Staten Island.

The issue caused only a minor delay in Biden’s return to Washington on Monday evening.

The incident occurred on the same day that lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking for the army’s entire V-22 Osprey fleet to be regrounded until safety and design issues identified by the Associated Press are addressed. latest in-depth research The plane’s accident record.

The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the New York incident. A journalist traveling with the president reported seeing a fire under the right engine shortly before staff were notified that the Osprey was to be grounded.

This isn’t the first time White House staff or reporters have had to be removed from the Osprey during a cruise due to safety concerns. In November 2023, an Osprey carrying White House reporters and staff returned to the ground shortly after takeoff after hearing four loud “pops” and seeing smoke.

In the letter sent to Austin on Monday, Sens., all Democrats from Massachusetts, said: Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Representative Richard Neal wrote, “Given current concerns about the safety of the V-22, the aircraft should be grounded and should not be reactivated until the Platform’s significant deficiencies have been fully remedied.”

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

The entire fleet was grounded for three months this year following a fatal crash in Japan in November 2023 that killed eight service members, including one from Massachusetts.

Ospreys, operated by the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and used in the presidential fleet, have now returned to flight operations with some restrictions.

Osprey pilots told the AP they did not want to see the plane grounded despite safety concerns because of its unique capabilities. Program officials said they are working on fixes that will 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 the AP’s report that pilots had to push the V-22’s “transient power” feature to land safely but advised against it because it could wear out parts. Interim power was a factor in the most recent crash in October, when a Japanese self-defense force Osprey tipped violently during takeoff and crashed into the ground. The investigation determined that the pilots were responsible for not turning on temporary power during takeoff.

“The reality for pilots is that they must push the aircraft to its limits to stay safe,” the lawmakers wrote.