1991 Harrier II accident in Villagarcía de la Torre

The 1991 Villagarcía de la Torre Harrier II crash is an air accident of a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B-6-MC Harrier II with call sign "Biscuit" belonging to Squadron WMA-223 of the United States Marine Corps, which took place on 11 November 1991 during a routine low-altitude training flight. The aircraft carried only its pilot, who was killed. The aircraft took off from Rota Base, with the accident occurring in the village of Villagarcía de la Torre shortly before 11:00.

Description of the accident

A pair of Harrier IIs forming part of a detachment deployedon the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (LHD 1), based at Cherry Point, North Carolina, was carrying out a routine low-altitude training flight when the aircraft with identifier 162727 experienced problems with the roll-control ailerons. Witnesses stated that they heard a first explosion and then saw the aircraft heading towards the houses. The pilot managed to avoid a greater tragedy by diverting the aircraft to the outskirts of the village. The Harrier flew a few metres over some of the town's rooftops (so close that it took out a chimney), climbing slightly although without clearing a power line, which it passed beneath the cables. A second explosion was heard and the aircraft burst into flames at the same time as an orange parachute was trying to detach from the aircraft, which at that moment was already flying inverted. Aircraft and parachute struck the ground only 300 m. from the houses at the place known as "Cerro de la Horca", dragging down in their fall a wire fence that served as a barrier. None of the pieces of wreckage found exceeded 50 cm in length.