Friday, May 09, 2014

McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II: Accident occurred May 09, 2014 near Sacaton in the Gila River Indian Community, Arizona

Authorities say a military jet has crashed on tribal land south of Phoenix. A spokesman for the Gila River Indian Community says the pilot was the only person aboard and ejected safely Friday afternoon and suffered only minor injuries.

 He suffered a laceration to his nose and was transported to Chandler Regional Hospital for a medical evaluation.

From SkyFOX, you could see the charred wreckage of the plane in the desert.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the aircraft belonged to the U.S. Marine Corps, but didn't immediately release any information on the crash.


A U.S. Marine aircraft has crash landed in a desert area of the Gila River Indian Community, sources say.

The pilot of the aircraft was able to safely eject, according to a Gila River Indian Community official.

The crash occurred Friday afternoon sometime after 3 p.m. near Sacaton, about 38 miles southeast of Phoenix.


A Marine spokesperson in San Diego confirmed the aircraft was based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

The aircraft wreckage was still smoldering about an hour after the crash.


Story, photo gallery and video:  http://www.azcentral.com 

SACATON, AZ (CBS5) -  Officials say the pilot was able to escape the fiery crash of a military aircraft on the Gila River Indian Reservation near Sacaton on Friday afternoon.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor confirmed the incident with CBS 5 News about 3 p.m.

The pilot got out safe and has been taken to the hospital.

A spokesperson for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said the Harrier is out of Yuma.

Sacaton is located approximately 40 miles south of Phoenix.