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(Video) Harrier Lands on "Stool" After Front Gear Failure, Interview With Pilot
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Mahoney, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), AV-8B Harrier jet pilot, talks about his experience during a controlled landing after his front landing gear malfunctioned on his aircraft aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5) at sea, June 7, 2014. (youtu.be) More...I'm not surprised the nose bounced on the "stool" - Harriers always seem to drop like a rock those last few feet. Good job - nicely done - live to fly another day.
Great Video
Heavy front end....I would have thought it 'should' have been softer than that after all Hans Solo.....er....Harrison Ford landed softer without an engine!
Han Solo had a set of repulsorlift coils installed from the spares cache on the Millennium Falcon for just such an emergency.
Had heard one report that was praising the "Sargent" who came up with this solution. However, I suspect this is standard equipment that is always around when Harriers are assigned to any ship. Most aircraft have specific jack points so that landing gear retraction testing/repairs can be done. A 'pillow' is probably easier to position in a hostile environment than trying to find a six inch 'hard point'! ;-) The vid does point out the sturdy airframe, however!! Two thumbs up!!