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Raleigh News & Observer
February 14, 2008
Pg. B5
From Staff Reports
A Marine Corps Harrier jet crashed Wednesday in a rural area of Carteret County, but the pilot ejected safely, officials said. The aircraft was one of three on a training flight when it lost engine power and crashed near Open Grounds Farms in the eastern part of the county.
The pilot was recovered and returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point near Havelock, said Mike Barton, a Cherry Point spokesman. The other two aircraft returned safely to Cherry Point.
The Harrier was part of the aviation combat element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
This is not the first time that a Harrier, a jet capable of taking off and landing vertically, has crashed during a training mission in Eastern North Carolina.
*In July 2005, a Harrier crashed in a wooded area near the southern end of the Pamlico Sound. The pilot ejected safely.
*In July 2003, a pilot was rescued after a Harrier crashed into the ocean off Atlantic Beach.
*In July 2002, a Harrier crashed into the Pamlico River. The pilot was rescued.
*In February 2001, two Marines died after a Harrier crashed while attempting to land at the Cherry Point airfield.
February 14, 2008
Pg. B5
From Staff Reports
A Marine Corps Harrier jet crashed Wednesday in a rural area of Carteret County, but the pilot ejected safely, officials said. The aircraft was one of three on a training flight when it lost engine power and crashed near Open Grounds Farms in the eastern part of the county.
The pilot was recovered and returned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point near Havelock, said Mike Barton, a Cherry Point spokesman. The other two aircraft returned safely to Cherry Point.
The Harrier was part of the aviation combat element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
This is not the first time that a Harrier, a jet capable of taking off and landing vertically, has crashed during a training mission in Eastern North Carolina.
*In July 2005, a Harrier crashed in a wooded area near the southern end of the Pamlico Sound. The pilot ejected safely.
*In July 2003, a pilot was rescued after a Harrier crashed into the ocean off Atlantic Beach.
*In July 2002, a Harrier crashed into the Pamlico River. The pilot was rescued.
*In February 2001, two Marines died after a Harrier crashed while attempting to land at the Cherry Point airfield.