Crash Site Sea Harrier FRS1

In May 1982 the British Royal Navy Task Force was doing battle with the invading Argentine forces on the Falkland Islands. Most of the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers were embarked on the aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible. On the 17th May 1982, back at RNAS Yeovilton the home of the Sea Harrier, tests were being carried out by Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down staff on the Sea Harriers ability to take off from the 'ski ramp' with 330 gallon drop tanks fitted. Aircraft XZ438, flown by Lt Cdr D. Poole of 809 Naval Air Squadron, took off from the 'ski ramp' and the aircraft rolled to the right and the pilot was unable to correct and ejected. Investigations revealed that the starboard tank had not been emptied and the pilot was unaware, believing that both tanks were empty.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Mike Freer - Touchdown-aviation