A fire aboard a White House Osprey aircraft prompted the evacuation of President Joe Biden's staff in New York, leading to calls for a reassessment of the aircraft's safety.

During preparations to depart from a Thanksgiving event, a fire led to the evacuation of President Joe Biden’s staff and a slight delay in his return to Washington, Mail Online reported.

On Monday, flames erupted from an Osprey aircraft carrying President Joe Biden's staff just before departure, creating a precarious situation. Stationed at Miller Field in Staten Island, New York, the aircraft was part of the presidential helicopter fleet, Marine Corps HMX-1.

The fire broke out during the startup process when personnel noticed flames beneath the right engine. Responders acted immediately to secure the safety of the staff onboard. The aircraft was preparing to depart following a "Friendsgiving" event with the US Coast Guard.

Immediate Response To Aircraft Fire Ensures Staff Safety

According to John Caldwell, deputy director of communications at the US Marine Corps, the situation was controlled efficiently. "The issue occurred during startup and was immediately addressed per established procedures. No one was in danger, and the squadron executed the backup plan for transportation, which resulted in a slight travel delay," he explained.

The problematic Osprey was left behind for repairs while another aircraft was dispatched from Quantico with necessary parts and maintainers to fix the issue, ensuring President Biden's staff could return to Washington without further incidents.

The recent fire has reignited concerns regarding the safety of the V-22 Osprey aircraft. An earlier investigation by the Associated Press had exposed several safety and design flaws, leading to worries about the aircraft's reliability.

Lawmakers Call For Grounding Osprey Fleet

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, along with Representative Richard Neal, have voiced their concerns about the Osprey. They addressed a letter to the Defense Secretary urging a temporary grounding of the fleet. "Given the 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 lawmakers stated.

The Osprey has faced scrutiny before. Authorities grounded the fleet for three months after a deadly crash in Japan in November 2023, which raised serious safety concerns.

Despite these concerns, Osprey pilots are reluctant to ground the aircraft permanently. They acknowledge the need to push the aircraft to its limits for safe operation, as reflected in comments from lawmakers: "The reality for pilots is that they have to push the aircraft to its limits to stay safe."

Past Incidents Stir Ongoing Safety Debates

Previous incidents involving safety concerns during Osprey flights with White House staff or reporters have raised alarms. Each case fuels the ongoing debate over the aircraft's operational safety.

Monday's fire and subsequent evacuation serve as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks associated with the V-22 Osprey. It also highlights the critical need for continuous evaluation and improvement of the aircraft's safety protocols to prevent future incidents.

The White House and the Marine Corps plan to thoroughly review the incident. Meanwhile, critics are calling for the fleet's grounding, highlighting serious concerns about the Osprey's safety. The administration's approach to addressing these issues moving forward remains uncertain.