The Air Force on Monday said an MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft crashed a year ago in the Central Command area of responsibility because the ground control station lost its downlink on final approach.
According to an Air Combat Command abbreviated accident investigation report, on May 6, 2017, the Reaper, from the 432nd Wing at Creech AFB, Nevada, was being operated by a launch and recovery element in the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and was on its way back from a mission.
It appears the mishap was caused by downlink interference from another MQ-9A, on the ground, which was transmitting on high power, and the unsuccessful attempt by the launch and recovery element to restore its link.
The RPA crashed when it ran out of fuel, the Air Force said.
The abbreviated accident investigation report can be accessed here.
Source: US Air Force