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MQ-1B Predator

MQ-1B Predator Losses

Crew error was the primary cause of an MQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft crash during a training mission 22 September 2004 at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nevada, according to an Air Force report. The mishap pilot failed to correct a high flare maneuver in time to prevent a hard landing, causing more than $2.8 million in structural damage to the aircraft, which was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron. There were no injuries, fatalities or damage to other property.

Five significant factors that contributed to the crash included the pilots failure to correct an unstable final approach, the mishap sensor operators failure to provide corrective calls for excessive airspeed and vertical speed deviations, wind shear that caused the aircraft to lose airspeed late in the flare maneuver, the pilots failure to reduce power to keep the aircraft on the runway, and the Predators lack of sensory cues effecting the pilots decision to attempt a go-around.

Pilot error caused the 24 November 2004 crash of an MQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle in the US Central Command area of responsibility according to an aircraft investigation board report. During a functional check-flight the Predator had a navigation system malfunction, resulting in the pilot deciding to immediately land the aircraft. During the landing sequence, the pilot failed to disengage the airspeed hold, as dictated by the landing checklist, resulting in the aircraft not being properly configured to land. The Predator, assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, impacted the ground short of the runway and was destroyed on impact. No one was injured in the incident. The investigation determined the navigation system malfunction, while a distraction, did not preclude the aircraft being landed safely.

The total loss of all control of an MQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft caused it to run out of fuel and crash on 14 January 2005 at a forward location in Southwest Asia, according to an Accident Investigation Board report released by Air Combat Command. The $3.5 million Predator, which belonged to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, was destroyed upon impact. There were no injuries, fatalities or damages to other property or equipment.

The incident occurred when the pilot and sensor operators control stations experienced a malfunction with their computer control system. Both control stations were rebooted, but all communication links with the aircraft were lost and never regained. The incident happened approximately eight and a half hours into the mission, with the aircraft flying uncontrolled and crashing approximately 21 hours into the flight.

Pilot error caused an MQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash on 20 March 2006 during a reconnaissance mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries in the incident and the aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area. Damage totaled approximately $4.3 million. The aircraft was assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

At the time of the incident, the pilot was flying the remotely piloted aircraft to a new reconnaissance mission location at an airspeed in excess of 110 knots. As a result of flying at this speed, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, arriving at the new location approximately 2,000 feet below the required clearance altitude. The pilot mistakenly concluded this rapid loss of altitude was due to a control problem with the aircraft. In an attempt to correct the problem, the pilot turned off the stability augmentation system pitch and roll axes. This caused the aircraft to go into a steep dive, thereby losing its satellite communication link. Once the link was lost, the pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft and it subsequently crashed. Investigators concluded failure to control the remotely piloted aircraft and the resulting crash were a direct result of the pilot's decision to turn off the aircraft's stability augmentation system pitch and roll axes.

Mechanical error caused an MQ-1L Predator aircraft to crash during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on 22 June 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident. The aircraft was valued at $4,700,000. Other than the loss of the aircraft, no government property was damaged in the accident. The Predator was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech Air Force Base.

The accident investigation board determined the primary cause of the accident was a rapid loss of engine oil due to a loose oil filter. The board could not determine the precise cause for the loose oil filter, but it was most likely due to an improperly installed oil filter. Additionally, the board found substantial evidence that an inadequately designed oil filter was a contributing factor in the mishap. The oil filter was not designed to lock in-place or with visible marks to help ensure proper installation.

Approximately five minutes into the training mission, the Predator experienced a rapid loss of engine oil followed by engine failure. The low altitude and loss of power prohibited the safe landing of the aircraft. The pilot controlling the aircraft elected to intentionally steer the Predator into a hill next to the runway to avoid injuring ground personnel or harming equipment.

Pilot error caused an MQ-1B Predator aircraft to crash during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on 3 August 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident. Damage to the aircraft totaled $1,436,765. Other than damage to the aircraft, there was no other government property loss. The Predator was assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech.

The accident investigation board determined that the pilot, a civilian contractor, inadvertently depressed an incorrect switch while attempting to retract the aircraft's landing gear. By pressing the incorrect switch, the pilot commanded the aircraft's engine to shut off while the mishap aircraft was approximately 500 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to glide the aircraft back to the runway, but the aircraft crashed slightly off the runway.