US Marine Corps Harrier crashes in Djibouti

A US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier crashed during takeoff from Djibouti Ambouli International Airport on April 3, the US Navy said in a statement.

The pilot is receiving medical care after ejecting and doctors said the pilot was in stable condition while being evaluated at Camp Lemonnier’s expeditionary medical facility.

There are no reports of injuries to personnel on the ground nor damage to infrastructure at the airport. The airport is open.

The crashed aircraft was assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 and embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima.

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima is currently on a deployment to the US 5th and 6th Fleet as part of the three-ship amphibious ready group which also includes the transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).

The navy said the cause of the accident was under investigation.