The Marines were conducting a routine training mission on a clear day when the catastrophic failure struck, igniting questions about whether the aircraft’s longstanding mechanical risks were downplayed.
Industry Giants Still in the Hot Seat
Bell, Boeing and Rolls-Royce had argued in November that the complaint was “hopelessly vague.” But while they successfully convinced the court to strike out the fraud and contract claims, they remain very much entangled in litigation over whether they knowingly concealed defects in the Osprey.
Representatives for the parties could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.
The ruling ensures the case won’t be grounded just yet—keeping the spotlight on a military aircraft already dogged by controversy and forcing aerospace giants to defend their role in one of the deadliest Osprey accidents in recent years.
