Engine ignition failure caused Predator crash

[unhappycamper]

Engine ignition failure caused Predator crash
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 3, 2009 18:23:10 EST

A failing engine ignition system led an MQ-1 Predator crew to crash the unmanned aerial vehicle in Iraq last spring, according to an Air Combat Command report issued Tuesday.

The remote-controlled Predator crashed May 2 about 50 miles east of Ali Base in southern Iraq. It was one of 10 Predators to crash in fiscal 2008.

The $3.8 million plane had been flying for more almost 19 hours and was headed back to Ali when the pilot, assigned to the Texas Air National Guard’s 111th Reconnaissance Squadron at Ellington Field, took manual control of the plane after the its nose dipped downward unexpectedly while flying on autopilot.

Shortly after the pilot took control, the engine stopped. The pilot restarted the engine, but the motor stopped again 15 seconds later. The pilot restarted the engine two more times and then found he was not able to keep constant contact with the plane.

As problems grew, the aircrew decided to crash the plane deliberately.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_predator_accidentreport_020309w/%2e