Today we will share a story When a Brave Harrier Pilot landed Harrier being on fire “from nose to aft”
In March 2016 Royal Air Force pilot was flying AV-8B Harrier fighter which was loaded with weapons
The pilot was doing an exchange tour with the US Marine Corps
He preparing to conduct air strikes on ISIS targets when the engine catastrophically spectacularly failed
The pilot completed all preflight checks and was in the process of taking off from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge.
Suddenly he heard a massive pop sound and felt the aircraft accelerate.
The aircraft continued 80 feet down the flight deck and then veered left on the ship’s very narrow flight deck.
Spilled fuel quickly caught fire and the entire aircraft was covered in flames.
The Kearsarge’s emergency deck crews were already preparing to bring the aircraft under control if the airplane managed to stay on the ship.
Despite his Harrier being on fire “from nose to aft,” the pilot remained calm and realized he still had control of the aircraft.
Pilot was told to eject but he stayed with his airplane, bringing it to a full stop.
The plane was engulfed in fire fighting foam moments later.
The pilot emerged from the incident covered in foam but otherwise unscathed.
The fire and explosion also damaged 2 other Harriers on the flight deck
Read more: Royal Navy Pilot landed Sea Harrier on Cargo ship – Alraigo incident
should caption the picture ad being unrelated to the incident. I recognize that aircraft as being attached to Marine squadron VMA-542 per the the colors on the the vertical stab, on a land base on deployment. overseas as per the nose number. also this picture shows the results of hot brakes on the main landing gear. note this is all speculation of the actual incident of the picture, but from a first hand experience and knowledge after being a member of a Marine attack squadron.