Harer, Richard James

American test pilot. Flew the X-1B. Lost both feet in the crash of an F-94 on 22 December 1954.

Harer flew 31 combat missions over Europe in WWII. After graduating from the USAF Test Pilot School in 1951 he was assigned to Edwards AFB and assigned as test pilot for performance flight testing of the F-84F fighter-bomber. Harer took part in the 1954 Bendix race and made one flight in the Bell X-1B. on November 4th, 1954. Harer was flying a Lockheed F-94C on a routine test flight on December 22 1954 when he experienced engine trouble and attempted a wheels-up landing on Rogers Dry Lake. The aircraft caught fire upon crash-landing and Harer was stuck in the burning cockpit. Chase pilot Milburn Apt landed next to the crashed airplane, smashed a hole in the jammed canopy, and pulled gainly Harer from the burning aircraft. Harer's injuries included a broken back, third degree burns and a compound fracture of both legs. His legs had to be amputated due to the severity of the injury. He returned to duty at desk jobs until his retirement from the service.