Spy plane crash blamed on operator


Message posted by lone wolf on March 18, 2004 at 6:01:04 PST:

Spy plane crash blamed on operator
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-18-Thu-2004/news/23459545.html
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The Dec. 11 crash of a remotely piloted Predator spy plane in Southwest Asia was caused by operator error, Air Force officials said Wednesday.

The $3.3 million unarmed RQ-1L Predator belonged to Nellis Air Force Base's 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, based at the Indian Springs Auxiliary Field 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The exact location of the crash is classified, but the area was under the control of U.S. Central Command, an Air Force spokeswoman said.

According to a statement from Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., an accident investigation board determined the pilot overcorrected the aircraft's pitch commands.

"The aircraft abruptly pitched upward due to a software program anomaly and the pilot overcorrected to bring it back down," the statement said. "The abrupt input began a cycle of upward and downward movements that caused the aircraft to exceed its operating limits and eventually crash."

Because Predator spy planes are operated remotely, there were no injuries or fatalities.


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