ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 178989
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Wednesday 4 February 2015 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  General Atomics MQ-9A-1 Reaper |
| Owner/operator: | 432nd WG USAF |
| Registration: | 10-4090 |
| MSN: | PB-090 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Indian Ocean -
 Indian Ocean
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | USAF AIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
Intentionally crashed in international waters after a technical malfunction.
The Air Force Accident Investigation Board report was released on 19th August 2015.
The US$ 13.2million aircraft was deliberately 'splashed' into international waters after starter-generator failure and subsequent depleted battery voltage meant that the 435th AEW / 33rd SOS launch and recovery crew were unable to guarantee being able to land the aircraft safely. Although the report specifically stated the base "installation withheld" referenced in the report is the 449th AEG (which is based in Djibouti) and the transit time-line involved (2 to 2.5hours) and over-water passage indicate the aircraft was tasked on an ISR mission over Yemen
Sources:
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/08/19/generator-failure-led-to-drone-crash-investigation-finds/
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/2010.html
https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/AircraftAccidentReports/Documents/2015/020415_MQ-9A_Africom.pdf
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/drone-crashes/database/
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Aug-2015 15:20 | gerard57 | Added |
| 05-Jan-2016 17:38 | El_serj | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source] |
| 11-Mar-2020 07:32 | StokieSteve | Updated [Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 11-Mar-2020 07:32 | harro | Updated [Source, Accident report, ] |
| 11-Mar-2020 16:09 | DG333 | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation