oooops! Nobody saw this happening.

So, inadequate infrastructure failed under the big downwash of the V-22? It’s well known that the V-22 is harsh on landing surfaces. It’s big, heavy, and the exhaust from the engine nozzles is very close to the ground, unlike other rotorcraft with conventional engine exhausts. The USN had to upgrade the deck materials on its assault ships the handle the intense heat from V-22.

If you’re going to partner with someone (USAF) and you clear them to land on your pad, probably good to know if the pad is up to the task. This is a great lesson identified (not learned - that will happen when all the pads are upgraded) for future joint ops - the V-22 is rough on pads. So, if you expect disaster relief, or MEDEVAC, help from the USAF, or USMC, better have some pads that can handle the aircraft.

But I don’t understand why this requires patients to be routed to other facilities. Are the helicopters being used for patient transport incapable of landing on dirt? So, how do they pick up the patients in the first place?
 
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Astro14 said:
So, inadequate infrastructure failed under the big downwash of the V-22? It’s well known that the V-22 is harsh on landing surfaces. It’s big, heavy, and the exhaust from the engine nozzles is very close to the ground, unlike other rotorcraft with conventional engine exhausts. The USN had to upgrade the deck materials on its assault ships the handle the intense heat from V-22.

If you’re going to partner with someone (USAF) and you clear them to land on your pad, probably good to know if the pad is up to the task. This is a great lesson identified (not learned - that will happen when all the lads are upgraded) for future joint ops - the V-22 is rough on pads. So, if you expect disaster relief, or MEDEVAC, help from the USAF, or USMC, better have some pads that can handle the aircraft.

But I don’t understand why this requires patients to be routed to other facilities. Are the helicopters being used for patient transport incapable of landing on dirt? So, how do the pick up the patients in the first place?
Click to expand...
The other AMT aircraft were likely redirected due to cleanup/FOD.

There is also the matter of loading/unloading/transporting patients over the unimproved surface.

Basically until the mess was cleaned up, the other birds were diverted to a parking lot or similar close to the hospital and then taken via ground for the last leg.

Happens all the time.
 
Astro14 said:
So, inadequate infrastructure failed under the big downwash of the V-22? It’s well known that the V-22 is harsh on landing surfaces. It’s big, heavy, and the exhaust from the engine nozzles is very close to the ground, unlike other rotorcraft with conventional engine exhausts. The USN had to upgrade the deck materials on its assault ships the handle the intense heat from V-22.

If you’re going to partner with someone (USAF) and you clear them to land on your pad, probably good to know if the pad is up to the task. This is a great lesson identified (not learned - that will happen when all the lads are upgraded) for future joint ops - the V-22 is rough on pads. So, if you expect disaster relief, or MEDEVAC, help from the USAF, or USMC, better have some pads that can handle the aircraft.

But I don’t understand why this requires patients to be routed to other facilities. Are the helicopters being used for patient transport incapable of landing on dirt? So, how do the pick up the patients in the first place?
Click to expand...
Hi Astro
Your last sentence makes a good point. The air ambulances and rescue helicopters will have to land in some pretty inhospitable terrain. I have no idea.
 
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