List of Harrier Jump Jet family losses
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Harrier Jump Jet family aircraft losses:
1960s
- 1 April 1965: Tripartite Evaluation Squadron Kestrel FGA1 (XS696United Kingdom military aircraft serialsIn the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet...
) caught fire on take-off at RAF West RaynhamRAF West RaynhamRAF West Raynham was a Royal Air Force station located west of the village of West Raynham in Norfolk, England. It opened in the 1930s and closed in 1994. During the Second World War, RAF Bomber Command operations from RAF West Raynham claimed 86 aircraft. The site was sold by the Ministry of...
. - 21 September 1967: Tripartite Evaluation Squadron Kestrel FGA1 (XS693) was abandoned 2 miles fom Boscombe Down.
- 27 January 1969: RAF GR3 (XV743) was abandoned over Dunsfold Aerodrome.
- 4 June 1969: Aeroplane and Armament Experimental EstablishmentAeroplane and Armament Experimental EstablishmentThe Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
(A&AEE) T2 (XW174) abandoned after loss of power near Boscombe Down.
UK operated Harriers
- 11 June 1970: A&AEE T2 (XW264) flew into ground after loss of control near Boscombe Down.
- 6 October 1970: RAF GR1 (XV796) abandoned after engine flame at Ouston.
- 23 April 1971: RAF GR1 (XV798) abandoned after loss of control in hover at RAF WildenrathRAF WildenrathThe former Royal Air Force Station Wildenrath, commonly known as RAF Wildenrath, was a Royal Air Force military airbase which opened on 15 January 1952. Wildenrath was the first of four 'Clutch' stations built for the RAF in Germany during the early 1950s...
. - 3 August 1971: RAF GR1 (XV803) flew into ground following nozzle failure, RAF WattishamRAF WattishamRAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
. - 12 January 1972: RAF GR1 (XW918) of No. 4 Squadron crashed following loss of control in cloud at Tuschenbroich, West Germany.
- 21 March 1972: RAF GR1 (XV802) flew into ground near Stadtoldendorf, West Germany.
- 26 April 1972: RAF GR1 (XV749) abandoned over sea off Lincolnshire following bird strike.
- 1 May 1972: RAF GR1 (XV777) abandoned during transition from hover at RAF Wittering.
- 4 May 1972: RAF GR1 (XV792) abandoned after bird strike near Hutten, West Germany.
- 20 June 1972: RAF GR3 (XW920) of No. 3 Squadron abandoned following a loss of engine power over Cape Frasca ranges, Sardinia.
- 27 June 1972: RAF GR1 (XV780) abandoned after engine fire near RAF Gutersloh, West Germany.
- 12 September 1972: RAF GR1 (XV799) flew into hill near Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland.
- 9 July 1973: RAF GR3 (XV792) abandoned after bird strike at RAF Wildenrath.
- 30 July 1973: RAF GR3 (XV805) abandoned after bird strike near Coesfeld, West Germany.
- 6 September 1973: RAF GR3 (XV750) abandoned over Germany after engine cut.
- 24 September 1973: RAF GR1 (XV739) of 1 SquadronNo. 1 Squadron RAFNo. 1 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It operated the Harrier GR9 from RAF Cottesmore until 28 January 2011.The squadron motto is In omnibus princeps , appropriate for the RAF's oldest squadron and one that has been involved in almost every major British military operation since...
was abandoned over Cyprus. - 23 January 1974: RAF GR3 (XV797) rolled out of control due to jammed flap and abandoned over Vredepeel, Netherlands.
- 26 March 1974: RAF GR3 (XV785) abandoned during landing at RAF Wildenrath, West Germany.
- 16 May 1974: RAF GR3 (XV800) damaged beyond repair following bird strike at RAF Wildenrath.
- 1 December 1975: RAF GR3 (XV788) abandoned following bird strike over Belize.
- 19 January 1976: Two RAF GR3s (XV745 and XV754) collided and crashed in Cheshire, England.
- 12 March 1976: RAF GR3 (XV746) flew into mountain in Norway.
- 6 July 1976: RAF GR3 (XW770) abandoned after engine flame out near Borken, West Germany.
- 15 December 1978: RAF GR3 (XV801) abandoned after loss of control over West Germany.
- 18 July 1979: RAF GR3 (XZ137) of No. 4 Squadron hit a house at Wissmar, West Germany.
- 21 September 1979: Two RAF GR3s (XV756 and XZ128) collided over Cambridgeshire.
- 4 October 1979: RAF GR3 (XW766) abandoned after control loss and crashed into wood near Ravensberg, West Germany.
- 8 November 1979: RAF GR3 (XV756) abandoned after being hit by ricochet over Holbeach ranges.
US operated Harriers
- 18 June 1971: A USMCUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
pilot became the first American killed in a Harrier crash when his aircraft crashed into the Chesapeake BayChesapeake BayThe Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
during a test flight.
- 15 June 1974: A USMC pilot was killed at Marine Corps Base Camp LejeuneMarine Corps Base Camp LejeuneMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
when his AV-8A Harrier rolled during a landing. - 9 October 1974: A USMC pilot was killed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, North Carolina when the landing gear of his AV-8A Harrier collapsed upon landing causing his aircraft to skid off the runway and burst into flames.
Indian operated Harriers
- 4 May 1988: Indian Navy Sea Harrier (IN601) crashed near Goa, pilot killed.
- 27 June 1988: Indian Navy Harrier T60 (IN652) crashed crew ejected.
UK operated Harriers
- 12 March 1980: RAF GR3 (XW765) abandoned after bird strike over Dyfed, Wales.
- 14 October 1980: RAF GR3 (XV792) rolled over and crashed while in the hover at RAF Gutersloh.
- 28 October 1980 : RAF GR3 (XV761) abandoned over Germany following bird strike.
- 22 May 1981: RAF GR3 (XZ139) of No. 3 Squadron abandoned near Sogel, West Germany after tailplane control rod disconnected.
- 26 May 1981: RAF GR3 (XW923) of No. 1417 Flight crashed into trees after failing to gain height during vertical takeoff at Belize AirportBelize City Municipal AirportBelize City Municipal Airport is an airport that serves Belize City, Belize. It is only one mile from the city center, and is therefore more centrally located to the city than is Belize City International Airport. It mostly services travel to Belize's cays, most commonly those that cannot be...
. - 14 July 1981: RAF GR3 (XV807) flew into tree near Georgeville, Belize.
- 12 February 1982: RAF GR3 (XZ973) of 233 Operational Conversion Unit flew into hill near Corwen, Wales.
- 4 May 1982: Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS1 (XZ450) crashed after being hit by 35mm cannon shells during a cluster bomb attack on Goose GreenGoose GreenGoose Green is a settlement in Lafonia on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. It lies on Choiseul Sound, on the east side of the island's central isthmus, south-southwest of Darwin. With a population of about 70, it is the second largest settlement of the Falkland Islands.Goose Green has a shop...
airstrip, pilot killed. - 6 May 1982: Two Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Sea Harrier FRS.1s, XZ452 and XZ453 of 801 NAS on combat air patrolCombat air patrolCombat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
from HMS InvincibleHMS Invincible (R05)HMS Invincible was a British light aircraft carrier, the lead ship of three in her class in the Royal Navy. She was launched on 3 May 1977 and is the seventh ship to carry the name. She saw action in the Falklands War when she was deployed with , she took over as flagship of the British fleet when...
of the Falklands task force, collide in poor visibility killing both pilots. - 21 May 1982: RAF GR3 (XZ972) crashed after being hit by a Blowpipe missileBlowpipe missileThe Shorts Blowpipe is a man-portable surface-to-air missile which was in use with the British Army and Royal Marines from 1975. It was superseded by an interim design, Javelin, and later the greatly improved Starstreak missile.-Description:...
during an armed reconnaissance over Port HowardPort HowardPort Howard is the largest settlement on West Falkland . it is in the east of the island, on an inlet of Falkland Sound...
. - 23 May 1982: Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS1 (ZA192) crashed into the sea following an explosion on departing from HMS HermesHMS Hermes (R12)HMS Hermes was a Centaur-class British aircraft carrier, the last of the postwar conventional aircraft carriers commissioned into the Royal Navy.-Construction and modifications:...
, pilot killed. - 27 May 1982: RAF GR3 (XZ988) of No. 1 Squadron crashed following being hit by gunfire during an attack on Goose Green.
- 29 May 1982: Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS1 (ZA174) slid off the deck of HMS Invincible into the sea in bad weather, pilot recovered.
- 30 May 1982: RAF GR3 (XZ963) of No. 1 Squadron crashed into the sea after running out of fuel, aircraft had been hit by small arms fire west of Port Stanley.
- 1 June 1982: Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS1 (XZ456) crashed into sea after being hit by a Roland missile during an armed reconnaissance mission south of Stanley Airport.
- 8 June 1982: RAF GR3 (XZ989) of No. 1 Squadron damaged beyond repair landing on a metal strip runway at San Carlos, Falkland IslandsSan Carlos, Falkland IslandsSan Carlos is a settlement in northwestern East Falkland, lying south of Port San Carlos on San Carlos Water. It is sometimes nicknamed "JB" after a former owner, Jack Bonner.-History:...
. - 29 June 1982: RAF T4 (XW272) flew into trees on take-off at Nergen-Hohne ranges, West Germany.
- 6 November 1982: RAF GR3 (XW767) abandoned following engine failure and crashed in sea off Falklands Island.
- 23 February 1983: RAF GR3 (XV795) and T2 (XW926) collided over Cambridgeshire.
- 22 March 1983 : RAF GR3 (XV787) abandoned over Falkland Islands after engine flame out.
- 3 May 1983: RAF GR3 (XZ134) of No. 3 lost power during take off and crashed at Stormede, West Germany.
- 28 October 1983 : RAF GR3 (XV742) of 233 Operational Conversion Unit flew into the sea on Holbeach range.
- 19 November 1983: RAF GR3 (XV762) flew into high ground in Falkland Islands.
- 3 June 1984: RAF GR3 (XZ135) of No. 4 Squadron crashed after catching fire in the hover during a flying display at Grossostheim.
- 29 November 1984: RAF GR3 (XZ993) of No. 1453 Flight abandoned after bird strike at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.
- 18 February 1985: RAF T4 (XW933) of No. 3 Squadron collided with Germany Air Force F-104G over Bad Rothenfelde, West Germany.
- 19 November 1985: RAF GR3 (XW922) of No. 233 Operational Conversion Unit rolled and was damaged during vertical landing at RAF Wittering.
- 17 June 1986: RAF GR3 (XW916) of No. 233 Operational Conversion Unit was abandoned following and electrical failure on approach to Yeovilton.
- 28 June 1986: RAF GR3 (XW769) abandoned when control was lost in hover at Chievres.
- 22 October 1987: BAe GR5 (ZD325) lost over sea while on a routine flight fom Dunsfold. Pilot ejected accidentally and the Harrier was seen flying without canopy and pilot by a passing USAF C-141 before crashing in the Atlantic off the Irish coast
- 2 November 1987: Two RAF GR3s (XV790 and XZ136) collided over Otterburn ranges.
- 20 May 1988: RAF GR3 (XV809) hit trees following loss of control after entering clouds on take off at RAF Gutersloh.
- 18 August 1988: RAF GR3 (XW921) of No. 3 Squadron crashed into wood near RAF Gutersloh after engine fire on takeoff..
- 20 June 1989: RAF T4 (XW925) of No. 4 Squadron abandoned after loss of control at RAF Gutersloh.
Indian operated Harriers
- 9 June 1992:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN619) crashed, the pilot was unharmed.
- 9 December 1992:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN612).
- 8 February 1996:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN620) missing during night flying over sea.
- 30 September 1997: Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN611).
UK operated Harriers
- 7 February 1992: RAF GR3 (XW927) was damaged beyond repair in a heavy landing at RAF Gutersloh.
- 14 May 1992: RAF GR3 (XZ990) crashed at RAF Wittering after loss of engine power in hover.
- 23 February 1996: Royal Navy Harrier T8 crashed near the Merry Harriers Inn in Somerset about 2 miles West of RAF CulmheadRAF CulmheadRAF Culmhead is an ex-Royal Air Force airbase, situated at Churchstanton on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, England.It had 3 tarmac runways that are now in poor condition and the control towers are currently derelict...
killing both crew members. - 25 September 1996: RAF T4 (XZ147) of No.233 Operational Conversion Unit was abandoned after bird strike near Driffield, Yorkshire.
US operated Harriers
- 12 February 1990: A USMC pilot died and a reconnaissance observer was hurt when they ejected almost simultaneously from separate aircraft during training missions at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsMarine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsThe Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center , also known as 29 Palms, is a United States Marine Corps base. It was a census-designated place officially known as Twentynine Palms Base located adjacent to the city of Twentynine Palms in southern San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2000...
, Twentynine Palms, CaliforniaTwentynine Palms, CaliforniaTwentynine Palms is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It was previously called Twenty-Nine Palms...
. The pilot was killed after ejecting from his AV-8B Harrier IIAV-8B Harrier IIThe McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing ground-attack aircraft. An Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the Harrier II is the final member of the Harrier family that started with the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 in...
, BuNo 163187, from VMA-223VMA-223Marine Attack Squadron 223 is a United States Marine Corps fixed wing attack squadron that consists of AV-8B Harrier jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing...
, based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, which crashed in a remote area. The Aerial observer who ejected from North American OV-10 BroncoOV-10 BroncoThe North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft...
, suffered minor injuries. The Bronco landed safely. - 18 January 1991 - A USMC AV-8B is shot down by anti-aircraft artillery.
- 9 February 1991 - A USMC AV-8B is shot down by a surface-to-air missile.
- 23 February 1991 - A USMC AV-8B is shot down by a surface-to-air missile, pilot killed.
- 27 February 1991 - A USMC AV-8B is shot down by anti-aircraft artillery, pilot killed.
- 29 June 1992: The pilot from VMA-214VMA-214Marine Attack Squadron 214 is a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and is under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing .The squadron is best known as the...
was killed after his parachute veered into the fireball created at the Davenport Municipal AirportDavenport Municipal Airport (Iowa)Davenport Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located about north of downtown Davenport, a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The airport, which dates back from 1948, has also been home to the Quad City Air Show since 1987. The air show occurs the last weekend of June every...
in IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
when his AV-8B Harrier exploded at the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff attempt.
Indian operated Harriers
- 25 May 2001: Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN610) crashed at Phadkevam, pilot ejected.
- 24 August 2003: Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN615) crashed into sea during landing.
- 17 December 2004: Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN604) crashed during a hover landing at Dabolim.
- 5 December 2005:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN607) pilot killed.
- 5 April 2007:Indian Navy Harrier T60 (IN651) crashed into the sea near Goa, crew ejected, one rescued one killed.
- 9 September 2007:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN608) crashed into sea during carrier landing, pilot ejected.
- 24 December 2007:Indian Navy Sea Harrier FRS51 (IN613) crashed at Dabolim, pilot ejected.
UK operated Harriers
- 2 August 2002: RAF GR7 crashed into sea, while hovering during a performance at the LowestoftLowestoftLowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich...
Seafront Air Festival, SuffolkSuffolkSuffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
. The pilot ejected before crashing into sea and was later rescued by a lifeboat. The pilot pulled the throttle lever the wrong way, causing a sudden loss of power and altitude. - 14 October 2005: RAF GR7A was destroyed and another damaged in a rocket attack by Taliban forces while parked on the tarmac at Kandahar. No one was injured in the attack. The damaged Harrier was repaired at the airfield while the destroyed one was replaced by another fighter which flew out from Britain on the same evening.
- 13 July 2006: RAF GR7A crashed near Oxford AirportOxford Airport-Expansion:The airport is currently looking to establish new routes out of the airport to help grow the airport and grow more into the comercial avaition market. The routes they are looking at are Edinburgh, Dublin, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris, Glasgow and Barcelona...
whilst transitioning to RAF FairfordRAF FairfordRAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire, England. It is a standby airfield, not in everyday use. Its most prominent use in recent years has been as an airfield for United States Air Force B-52s during the 2003 Iraq War, Operation Allied Force in 1999, and the first Gulf War in...
for the 2006 Royal International Air TattooRoyal International Air TattooThe Royal International Air Tattoo is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July, usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust...
. Pilot ejected safely and was rescued, the crash being caused by a bird strikeBird strikeA bird strike—sometimes called birdstrike, avian ingestion , bird hit, or BASH —is a collision between an airborne animal and a man-made vehicle, especially aircraft...
, thought to be a swan ingested into the engine. - 14 May 2009: A British Harrier GR9A jet crashed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said. The pilot is believed to have suffered only minor injuries when he ejected from the aircraft before it came down at Kandahar airfield at about 10:30am local time. It is believed there were no other casualties. It is thought that the RAF pilot ejected after he could not land the aircraft properly. The landing gear was not fully extended.
US operated Harriers
- 3 February 2001: US Marine Corps TAV-8B Harrier crashed as it neared touchdown on a base runway at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
, killing two aviators. - 1 April 2003: AV-8B+(R) Harrier 165391 of HMM-263 crashes off USS NassauUSS Nassau (LHA-4)USS Nassau was a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship. She was capable of transporting more than 3,000 US United States Navy and United States Marine Corps personnel. Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, laid the ship's keel on August 13, 1973, she was commissioned on July 28, 1979...
in the Persian gulfPersian GulfThe Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
during the 2003 invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of IraqThe 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
; the pilot was rescued. - 6 December 2005: USMCUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
AV-8B from Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry PointMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point or MCAS Cherry Point is a United States Marine Corps airfield located in Havelock, North Carolina, USA, in the eastern part of the state...
crashed approx 20 miles east of Saint Augustine, Florida; Capt Jason Thomsen safely ejected and was rescued by the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. - 27 November 2007: US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with VMA-513VMA-513Marine Attack Squadron 513 is a United States Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of AV-8B Harrier jets. Known as the "Flying Nightmares", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing...
crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, with the pilot ejecting safely. The crash occurred during a routine training mission. - 13 February 2008: USMCUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
AV-8B Harrier IIAV-8B Harrier IIThe McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II is a second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing ground-attack aircraft. An Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the Harrier II is the final member of the Harrier family that started with the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 in...
from VMA-542VMA-542Marine Attack Squadron 542 is a United States Marine Corps fixed wing attack squadron that consists of AV-8B Harrier jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing...
crashed at the Open Ground Farms in Carteret County, North CarolinaCarteret County, North CarolinaCarteret County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat is Beaufort. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast....
. The pilot was able to safely eject.
- 15 May 2008 : US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with VMAT-203VMAT-203Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 is a squadron in the United States Marine Corps that trains naval aviators to fly the AV-8B Harrier. Also known as the Hawks, the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and the 2nd...
crashed while on a training mission in southern Arizona, with both pilots ejecting safely. The aircraft was a TAV-8B Harrier II two-seater trainer jet. - 29 December 2008 : US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with VMAT-203VMAT-203Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 is a squadron in the United States Marine Corps that trains naval aviators to fly the AV-8B Harrier. Also known as the Hawks, the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and the 2nd...
crashed in an unpopulated area approximately one mile east of the air station near NC Highway 101, killing the pilot. The crash occurred while returning from a routine training flight. - 29 March 2011 : US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier deployed with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard amphibious assault ship crashed into the water during takeoff for a routine training flight while operating in the Arabian Sea.