rq1l uav crash analysis


Message posted by gary on February 02, 2001 at 17:45:43 EST:

Looks like high tech pilot error.
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Officials release RQ-1L Predator accident report
02/02/01 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Officials investigating the Sept. 14 crash of an RQ-1L Predator unmanned aerial vehicle near Indian Springs Auxiliary Field, Nev., have determined the accident resulted from operator error.

The Predator, from the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron based at Indian Springs, was destroyed in the accident. There were no injuries or significant property damage as a result of the crash.

According to the Air Combat Command's Accident Investigation Report released Feb. 2, the pilot -- who flies the aircraft from a ground control station -- inadvertently cleared the primary control module's random access memory. As a result, the Predator lost its data link connection with the ground control station. The pilot was no longer able to communicate with the aircraft and make flight control inputs.

The crew attempted to re-establish the link with the aircraft, but they were unsuccessful. The Predator stalled shortly after the data link was lost, and it crashed several minutes later.

Attached link: rq1l crash info

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