US Harrier jet catches fire upon landing at Clark airport

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – A US Harrier multi-role fighter jet caught fire as it landed at the Clark International Airport here yesterday, officials said.

Capt. Maribelle Manangbao, spokesperson of the US-RP Balikatan joint military exercises, said one of the aircraft’s tires blew out and caught fire as it landed on the runway.

The pilot, whose name was not immediately available, escaped unhurt, Manangbao said.

Manangbao said the fighter jet initially took off early morning to participate in the annual Balikatan military exercises.

As the aircraft returned and landed at the runway, one of its tires caught fire.

Witnesses said the fire spread on the concrete runway, which prevented the pilot from getting out of the aircraft.

Officials added the aircraft’s fuel also spilled on the runway, prompting fire trucks from the airport and nearby Clark Development Corp. to rush to the site to put out the blaze.

Manangbao said no other aircraft at the airport was damaged during the incident.

US Marines spokesman Sgt. Michael Freeman said “there was more smoke than fire” and that the aircraft’s brakes were being tested when the fire broke out.

Freeman, however, declined to elaborate pending results of the probe being conducted by the US military.

Manangbao, for her part, suggested that warm weather might have caused the aircraft’s tire to ignite. – With James Mananghaya