The Air Force mostly blamed the Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) mishap pilot for a February MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crash in Afghanistan.
The service said in a statement the Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) found the cause of the mishap two-fold. First, the MQ-1B experienced a dual alternator failure followed by the complete loss of aircraft electrical power.
Secondly, the LRE mishap pilot failed to adequately assess the nature of the emergency and fully execute proper procedures listed in the published flight manual. Upon gaining control of the MQ-1B, the LRE mishap pilot failed to fully accomplish the dual alternator failure checklist and execute appropriate forced landing procedures.
The LRE mishap pilot also failed to preserve battery power and land the MQ-1B as soon as possible. He instead elected to maneuver the MQ-1B over the airfield with the intention of reaching a position above the approach end of the runway to execute an engine-out emergency landing.
As a result, the MQ-1B crashed into a field northeast of the deployed airfield and was destroyed. The service valued damage to the aircraft, government and private property at $3.9 million.
The Air Force said the AAIB president also found that the MQ-1B’s crew’s poor checklist coordination and channelized attention on a landing gear warning indication substantially contributed to the mishap.
The MQ-1B Predator is developed by General Atomics.