The Harrier is the most dangerous airplane flying in the U.S. military today.
Over the last three decades, it has amassed the highest rate of major accidents of any Air Force, Navy, Army or Marine plane now in service. Forty-five Marines have died in 143 noncombat accidents since the corps bought the so-called jump jet from the British in 1971. More than a third of the fleet has been lost to accidents.
The toll has been little noted by the public and the media because the Harrier tends to kill pilots one at a time. In contrast, the V-22 Osprey, a problem-plagued troop transport plane, has killed as many as 19 Marines in a single crash.
Comprehension seems to be an achilles heel for you and your simple minded absolutist pal.
"Harrier Jets are the deadliest fighters to fly - a real death trap."
By the way, ever actually worked on a Harrier or even spoken to a Harrier pilot with several thousand hours in type?