Throughout its operational history, the AV-8B has gained a reputation as a "widow maker" by its operators, mainly the USMC, due mainly to the amount of time it spends taking off and landing, which are the most critical phases in flight.
Throughout its operational history, the AV-8B has gained a reputation as a "widow maker" by its operators, mainly the USMC, because of the number of accidents in which the AV-8B has been involved. Accidents have in particular been connected to the amount of time the aircraft spends taking off and landing, which are the most critical phases in flight.