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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, December 15, 2003

Latest Harrier crash renews safety concerns

Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Five Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier attack jets have crashed this year, prompting renewed concern about the accident-prone plane at the Pentagon and in Congress.

The Harrier, which can take off and land like a helicopter, has the highest major accident rate of any military plane in service.

Advertiser library photo • Sept. 17, 2003

Despite assurances by Marine officials to lawmakers that the Corps had taken steps to lower the Harrier's historically high accident rate, the five serious crashes this year are the most for the plane since 1999.

Each of the pilots in this year's crashes survived but the value of the destroyed and damaged aircraft exceeds $100 million. Four planes crashed during training exercises.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in an interview Wednesday he would direct a committee member, along with staff, to investigate the increase in accidents.

On April 1, a Harrier crashed during a training mission while trying to land on a ship in the Persian Gulf. Four other crashes have followed — off the coast of North Carolina, in Afghanistan, Arizona and California.

The Harrier, renowned for its ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, has amassed the highest major accident rate of any military plane now in service. Forty-five Marines have died in 148 noncombat accidents. More than a third of the fleet of 397 has been lost to accidents in the 32-year history of the single-seat jet.

The Boeing Co. recently concluded its scheduled production of the Harrier in St. Louis, celebrating with fanfare and accolades from company and Marine officials.

The most recent crash was Dec. 8. A pilot checking the engine cooling system over the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range in Southern California heard a loud bang and began to lose control of the aircraft at about 1,500 feet, said Capt. Shawn Turner, a Marine spokesman. The pilot ejected and was reported to be in good condition.

The Marines have provided few details about this year's crashes.

The Harrier has been used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Marines have said it performed well in both conflicts.

The Harrier is due to be replaced by a special version of the Joint Strike Fighter being developed for the Marines with the ability to do short rolling takeoffs and vertical landings but is expected to remain in the fleet for 13 years or more.

Military aviation experts said there may not be much more the Marines can do to prevent future accidents. "We may be dealing with the reality of a temperamental aircraft that is difficult to fly and is not terribly forgiving," said Daniel Goure, a military analyst and vice president of the Lexington Institute, a think tank in Arlington, Va. "That's the nature of the beast."