The accident investigation for a VMA-223 AV-8B that caught fire on board USS Kearsarge last year has been completed.
By Official Navy Page from United States of America Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson/U.S. Navy (Sailor assists AV-8B pilot.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
It was revealed that a British exchange pilot from the Royal Air Force was at the controls of Harrier BuNo 165003 when its engine exploded during the take-off run.
The jump jet traveled down the flight deck for 80 feet and veered to the port side. The flight lieutenant was praised for his handling of the emergency.
Investigators believe an issue with a compressor blade was the cause of the incident.