Harrier off the rwy @ FRG

[moose135]

Just showed up for a meeting at the Air Power Museum @ FRG, and found New Highway closed both ways the length of FRG. Talked the SCPD at the roadblock into letting us pass to get to the museum, and he told us the road is closed because a Harrier overran the runway and is off in the grass. Based on what's closed, I'm assuming it's off the departure end of 14.

It's way too foggy to see anything, and I don't want to get jacked up by going down New Highway any further, but if I hear anything else, I'll pass it along.

[lijk604]

Im sure you have your camera with you just in case right????


Derf driveby style????

[moose135]

Just left the museun & headed down New Highway, and sure enough there's a Harrier off the departure end of 14. It was covered in a big blue tarp, but the shape was recognizable. Looks like it hit the structure that's down there (approach lights or antenna?).

Yes I had the camera, but there were several airport vehicles around, and it was only partially illuminated by a truck's headlights. I'll probably take a ride over in the morning and check it out again.

[mirrodie]

I might drive down myself? wow a harrier at FRG? who needs spotting at JFK anymore?! wow, I really thought you were kidding when I saw that written!

[T-Bird76]

I thought I was seeing things just about 15 mins ago when I drove past FRG, very cool!

[mirrodie]

wow, seeing is believeing.


i'll see what my friend in FRG tower knows.

[PhilDernerJr]

I heard a report that Suffolk County cops have been ordered to detain anyoen with a camera at FRG because of the harrier, and that they are stopping anyone that's even close to search them.

[moose135]

By the time I got there this morning (a little after 10) they had New Highway closed again. I did head over to the terminal parking area, and saw a USMC KC-130T over by JetCenter preparing to leave. It's out of VMGR-252 at MCAS Cherry Point.

These are his t/o roll & departure on Rwy 1:

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_C_2006_05_13.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_E_2006_05_13.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_G_2006_05_13.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_D_2006_05_13.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_F_2006_05_13.jpg

You know, as a photographer, you do anything to get the shot, right? Well, I'm going to Hell for the following:

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_A_2006_05_13.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_B_2006_05_13.jpg

St. Charles cemetary runs along New Highway, and I (yes, this good little Catholic boy) drove through the cemetary until I found a corner that faced the end of Rwy 14. It was a guick, stop, point the camera out the window and fire off a few shots, but the tarp was off, and while they're not very good, it is the Harrier sitting out on the end of the runway. There is also another Harrier parked over by JetCenter, probably the wing man of the one that overran 14. Couldn't get a good angle to shoot that one - I would have had to interupt a funeral, and that's getting close to crossing a line :D

[SCOTYDEMCO]

I did the same thing Moose. I was there at about 2:30 pm today. They had all roads closed off by Suffolk pd. I did drive throught the cemetary as well. Saw the other Harrier by the Jet center. I felt bad too. Couldn't see the Harrier at the end of the runway but they had alot of emergency equipt. and a big crane there.

[NIKV69]

Good job moose! You didn't cross a line. :mrgreen:

Wish I was out that way I would have drove over and checked it out.

[T-Bird76]

Nice Jon!!!!! I wonder what caused the accident? Any word?

[moose135]

New Highway was still closed around 4 pm, so I headed back to the terminal parking area, and saw they were moving the Harrier:

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_165596_A_2006_05_13.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_165596_D_2006_05_13.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_165596_E_2006_05_13.jpg

You can see some damage on the nose in this shot. I guess it's legal to talk on a cell phone when you are being towed!
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/JM_FRG_165596_C_2006_05_13.jpg

They towed it to the D&K Aviation Maintenance hangar (Hangar B). They opened up New Highway by the time they got it there. I rode over and watched them backing it into the hangar. I took a few shots, but in all the excitement, I f***ed up my settings, so I ended up with a slow shutter speed & blurry pictures :cry:

[mirrodie]

GREAT shots John! thanks for sharing.

due to cemetary wandering, now not only do I have to do a bit of ice skating watching, but probably loads of purgatory too.

[Derf]

Lots to tell, but the pictures are better than words! :lol: :wink:

http://Derf.smugmug.com/photos/69410369-L.jpg

http://Derf.smugmug.com/photos/69410311-L.jpg

http://Derf.smugmug.com/photos/69410344-L.jpg

[Steven Holzinger]

And the real funny thing... Harriers don't normally need a runway!

[cancidas]

looks like he took out the localizer antenna.... ouch! it would suck to have to call your CAG and tell him you just did that... wonder how it happenned.

[GrummanFan]

it would suck to have to call your CAG and tell him you just did that...

thats probably why he was on his cell phone..."hey, I just had a bit of an accident. No, nothings broken really, just a bit banged up. Could you give me a ride home?"

anyone know where these guys are from?

[moose135]

anyone know where these guys are from?

VMA-231, Cherry Point, NC

[DHG750R]

Looks like he did a good job wiping out the localizer antenna

Here's the NOTAM
KFRG REPUBLIC
05/013 - 14 ILS OTS WIE UNTIL UFN

[T-Bird76]

Looks like he did a good job wiping out the localizer antenna

Here's the NOTAM
KFRG REPUBLIC
05/013 - 14 ILS OTS WIE UNTIL UFN

He sure did but its back together as of this morning, can't even tell anything happened.

[mirrodie]

wow, and only last night at 1700, it was still being tended too. nice quick job they did!

[SCOTYDEMCO]

Are they still at FRG or have they already departed?

[mirrodie]

Tom, whats the word??

Tom woudl know... Or John..


I took a few pics on Monday, the wingmans plane was out in full view and I beleive the damaged one is in the Hangar still.

[moose135]

Took a ride over there at lunch time. The wingman Harrier is gone. The doors were closed on the D&K hangar, so I couldn't see if the bent bird was still there.

Sorry, Mario, I didn't really go there at lunch just to check this out for you. As I was walking out of the building just after Noon, a Navy C-130 (think it was Navy, it was white over grey) flew over on approach to Rwy 19. Never did see it at FRG, though. Wonder if it's advance for next week's airshow?

[Derf]

Guess who was hanging out last night and this morning???
http://fromtheflightdeck.com/temp/nycaviation/5/IMG_1094.jpg

[PhilDernerJr]

Anyone have any good VTOL video? (other than True Lies)

[Derf]

One good crash deserves another..... this was in Florida at an airshow.

Here ya go Phil
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5977764243310024126&q=crash

[SCOTYDEMCO]

VMA-231 did the demo at the Andrews show this weekend. His wingman was on static display. I asked him about the incident at FRG, he smiled and shrugged his shoulders as he said "yeah that was one of ours" :?

[mirrodie]

anyone know when hte 2nd (damaged) Harrier left?

Was at Greenfield today around noon when all a sudden a C130 hercules turns short final for FRG. It was insane, came out of nowhere and I was under the impression it was support for that Harrier.

[Derf]

I have shots of her on the ground last night posted above and have shots of her this AM still in the camera. I think she is still there

[UrbanExplorer222]

What a great day at the beach!!! Two things.... first, its a good thing he was out over the water and not closer to the beach... Second, why did everyone just sit there and stare!!! lol