Pilot dies in jet crash

December 30, 2008 by pamliconews

Photo credit: Boeing Corporation

A Marine Corps Harrier jet, similar to the one seen here, crashed Monday afternoon near Havelock, killing its pilot.

JEFF AYDELETTE
PAMLICO NEWS STAFF

A Marine pilot, at the controls of a Harrier fighter jet, died Monday after crashing his single-seat aircraft in sparsely populated area near a runway at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.
According to a spokesman for the base, the jet was returning shortly after noon, having completed a routine training mission. Hunters in the area spotted the jet on its descent and immediately reported the accident to authorities.
The crash site is about a mile east of the sprawling military aviation complex off Highway 101 in Craven County. Monday afternoon military and civilian law enforcement quickly cordoned off the area, pending a complete investigation of both the wreckage and the crash area.
The identity of the pilot had not yet been released by the Monday night press time of The Pamlico News.
The jet, an AV-8B Harrier, is known for its ability to take off and land vertically. It is part of Cherry Point’s Marine Attack Training Squadron 203.

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