Military Photo: Attack of the Killer Cactus

Archives

The damage is from flying a Marine Corps Harrier aircraft too low, about four feet off the ground. The incident occurred during a night close air support training mission near Yuma, Arizona. The pilot was wearing Night Vision Goggles and was taking instructions from a FAC (Forwars Air Controller) on the ground. The pilot apparently rolled in too steeply, and was told by the FAC to abort. The damage to the aircraft is from cactuses and other desert vegetation. The the site of the near crash was examined, vegetation was torn off at an "altitude" of about four feet. The pilot was very lucky, as he was going several hundred kilometers an hour and one wrong twitch on the joystick would have flown him into the ground.

Posted: 11/01/2004

Photo Archive

Military Photo Archives: Current  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004