U.S. Air Force Aerospace Mishap Reports: Accident Investigation Boards for UAV/UAS Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Incidents Involving the MQ-1B Predator in Afghanistan, Iraq, and California

Five USAF accident investigation board reports, converted for accurate flowing-text ebook format reproduction, present findings into Class A aerospace mishaps involving UAV/UAS remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in 2009 and 2010. The incidents included the MQ-1B Predator.

Report One: On 20 November 2009, shortly after 1708 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), an MQ-1B Predator remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA), serial number 06-3161, impacted the ground 7 miles northwest of Kandahar Airfield (KAF), Afghanistan, while conducting a combat support mission in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The RPA was an asset of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. It was destroyed on impact, and the cost of the aircraft damage was $4,588,282. There were no reported injuries and there was no known damage to other government or private property.

Report Two: At 0353 Zulu (Z) / 0723 Local, Afghanistan on 3 October 2009 (2053 Pacific Daylight Saving Time on 2 October 2009), after normal maintenance and pre-flight checks, the Mishap Remotely Piloted Aircraft (MRPA) taxied and departed from Kandahar Air Field for a reconnaissance mission. There were two mishap crews involved in this mishap, as the mishap occurred shortly after crew swap. Mishap Crew 1 (MC1) consisted of Mishap Pilot 1 (MP1) and Mishap Sensor Operator 1 (MSO1). Mishap Crew 2 (MC2) consisted of Mishap Pilot 2 (MP2) and Mishap Sensor Operator 2.

Report Three: On 20 April 2010, at 1057 local time (PDT), a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), MQ-1B tail number 08-3229 ("RPA 08-3229," "RPA," "aircraft," or "mishap aircraft"), impacted the ground at Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV, the former George AFB) in Victorville, California. The aircraft and one inert Hellfire training missile were a total loss. Damage to government property was estimated at $3,743,211.00. The crash did not result in any injuries to people, but did result in minor damage to non-military property (a runway light).

Report Four: An MQ-1B Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) crashed shortly after takeoff near Joint Base Balad (JBB), Iraq on 16 August 2010. The aircraft belonged to the 432d Reconnaissance Wing at Creech Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, but was deployed at the time in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The crew flying the aircraft was also deployed to JBB from Creech AFB and was assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at the time of the mishap. No one was injured, and no private property was damaged. The aircraft and its system were catastrophically damaged during the crash. The total mishap cost was approximately $3,900,278.

Report Five: On 19 September 2010, at 2018 Zulu (Z) time, the mishap remotely piloted aircraft (MRPA), a MQ-1B Predator, tail number 00-3072, crashed in uninhabited mountainous terrain approximately 20 miles south of Kabul, Afghanistan, approximately three hours after takeoff. Destruction of the MRPA, one hellfire missile, and two missile rails were assessed to be a financial loss of $3,800,278.00. No injuries, damage to other government, or damage to private property occurred as a result of the mishap.