ZD325 - British Aerospace (Harrier GR.5)

Photo of aircraft ZD325 operated by British Aerospace

Aircraft Details

Frame Details
Serial512113/P06
Line Number
First Flight
ModelHarrier GR.5
StatusWritten-off
Commentsw/o 22.10.87. The a/c was on a test flight from Dunsfold, prior to delivery, when the parachute deployment rocket fired through the canopy dragging him out of the cockpit (it was thought the pilot mistakenly fired it while trying to adjust the seat). The pilot's body was later found close to Winterbourne Stoke, near Boscombe Down, Wilts, but the a/c flew on for at least 1.5 hrs and eventually crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 250 mi SW of the Irish Coast after it ran out of fuel. It was intercepted by a USAF C-5 (at ATC request) which was en-route to Dover AFB, DE, and they reported that "there was no-one in the cockpit". They videoed the Harrier continuing west, with seat, a broken canopy and no pilot.
  Reg Airline Delivered Status
Not Seen It! ZD325 British Aerospace Unknown Written-off

Key: Flown It! Flown It Seen It! Seen It Seen It! Not Seen It
Log in now to see your sightings and flights on this aircraft

SIGHTINGS

Sighting Details Image
22/10/1987 - EGTD - david2757