A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol UAS was purposely crashed into the ocean about 20 miles southwest of San Diego after it developed a mechanical problem, an agency spokesman said Tuesday. The CPB Office of Air and Marine flight crew deliberately crashed the unmanned aircraft about 11:15 p.m. Monday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesman Michael Friel. Friel said the maritime variant of the Predator B experienced an unspecified problem while patrolling the coastline, and its controllers determined it would be unable to return to Sierra Vista, Ariz.
The CBP handled the recovery of the aircraft, with the U.S. Coast Guard providing a safety buffer, Coast Guard officials said.
Pending an investigation of what went wrong, the CBP grounded its UAS, he said.
Friel said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration was notified about ditching the UAS, reportedly valued around $12 million.
The majority of the aircraft is submerged. The Coast Guard is assisting in recovering any floating pieces, an official said.
Customs and Border Protection’s fleet of 10 is now down to nine, all grounded, an agency official said. The one lost Tuesday cost about $12 million, plus another $6 million for the ground system.
The agency lost a smaller unmanned aircraft in 2006. It ultimately crashed about 200 yards from a home, the official said.
Sources: CNN, San Diego 6