ACC releases Predator crash report

Published March 23, 2005

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- Crew error was the primary cause of an MQ-1L Predator remotely piloted aircraft crash during a training mission Sept. 22 at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nev., according to an Air Force report released today.

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.

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