Marine Corps Osprey helicopter landing injures ten in Staten Island park during Memorial Day event

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Source: NY Daily News

A Marine Corps helicopter touching down for a Memorial Day demonstration on Staten Island sent tree branches flying into the stunned crowd, injuring at least 10 people.

As the Osprey dipped toward the ground at Cloves Lakes Park Preserve, wind whipped up by the helicopter's rotor broke up two mid-sized trees and sent some 30 branches flying, Deputy Fire Chief Roger Sakowich said.

Yolanda Maiurrno, 80, of Staten Island, was thwacked in the ankle by a piece of wood.

"It was a really scary and horrific scene. I'm all shook up right now and I can't stop shaking," she said, gripping an ice pack given to her by medics.
(snip)
The MV-22 Bravo Osprey was attempting to land about 9:10 a.m. in the middle of the park's ballfields for an event celebrating 2010 Fleet Week and Memorial Day.

"We came in over the trees. You can't see what's going on underneath them," said Marine Capt. Michael Henson, whose regiment is based in North Carolina. "The next thing we see is a blanket coming up in the air. That means one thing, someone is sitting down below us. The only thing to do was to just keep going."

Helicopters, especially the heavy Osprey helicopter-airplane hybrid used by the Marines, create a lot of wind when landing.

"Anything that's loose is going to get blown around," Henson said.
(snip)
Seven people were taken to Richmond University Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Three more were treated at the scene. Three of the 10 injured were children, authorities said.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/31/2010-05-31_marine_corps_osprey_helicopter_landing_injures_eight_in_staten_island_park.html

[Blue_Tires]

1. hasn't i been shown beyond a doubt now that the osprey is a death trap?

[wmbrew0206]

12. No. It has preformed well in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Osprey had problems in development but has since preformed very well in theater.

[Poll_Blind]

2. I really hate that aircraft. I looks beautiful though. n/t

PB

[Warren Stupidity]

3. Marines claim self defense: "we were attacked by chairs!"

:sarcasm:

probably vastly misplaced too. I apologize for not hitting the delete key.

[Recursion]

4. I hate that bird

Worst idea since switching from .45 to 9mm.

[geckosfeet]

5. That seals it. I am getting a 1911 .45. Was thinking about a 9mm

or .40 to save a few bucks on ammo and reloads - but what good is money if you are not around to use it.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. Definitely go .45...

230 grain Federal Hydroshocks- one shot should do it.

[defendandprotect]

6. And no one knew possibilities when this event was organized....???

[L0oniX]

7. Piece of junk!

[tabasco]

8. This fucking thing is right up there with the Sherman tank

on the list of useless pieces of shit foisted on the US military by PROFITEERING CORPORATIONS.

[IndianaGreen]

10. The Osprey safety record has been rather spotty since it was first tested

I fear for any of our Marines onboard that widow maker.

[wmbrew0206]

14. It was spotty during development, not in operations since its fielding.

[Ezlivin]

11. Shouldn't all civilians be indoors today?

Sounds like a good safety rule.

[wmbrew0206]

13. The organizers should of this event should have known this could have been an issue.

The Osprey has a much more powerful rotor wash than any other helicopter and it is really bad went it comes in for a landing. It is not like a Huey or -53 and the organizers and squadron CO should have made sure that this was known before sending the Osprey's in.

[nichomachus]

15. Militaristic displays do have their drawbacks

[minnesota_liberal]

16. Gotta love NBC "expert" Col. Jack Jacobs

The aircraft obviously approached a crowded area directly over trees. Yet Col. Jacobs goes on and on about people needing to stay away from the landing area. Duh! Pilot error!

[pinniped]

17. edit....

.

[SoDesuKa]

18. Sounds Worse Than It Was

The Osprey blew things around, and people weren't expecting it, that's all. Somebody should have told them what happens when these things land.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/airshow_causes_chaos_in_staten.html