ACC releases QF-4 accident report

  • Published
 Failure to react properly to controller inputs led to the intentional destruction of an unmanned QF-4E drone during a mission, Sept. 8 over White Sands Missile Range, N.M., near Holloman Air Force Base, according to an Air Force report released today.

The remotely-piloted jet was assigned to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron Detachment
at Holloman AFB. No one was injured during the mishap and damage to the drone is
estimated at $1.5 million.

According to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report, the drone
exceeded its flight limits and stalled. Corrective measures from the controller and the drone's
autopilot failed, causing the drone to depart controlled flight.

The controller, operating from a ground station located within the range complex, used a
ground-based Ultra High Frequency flight termination system to destroy the drone, which
impacted the ground in two pieces.

For more information, please contact Air Combat Command Public Affairs at (757) 764-
5007 or e-mail acc.pam@langley.af.mil.