NEWS RELEASE: UPDATE - MQ-1 crashes at Holloman

Published Oct. 31, 2013
By 49th Wing Public Affairs
Release No. 13-10-10

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, NM -- Emergency responders have located the site where an MQ-1B Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft crashed approximately six miles northwest of the airfield on Holloman Air Force Base property at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 30.

After experiencing an in-flight emergency during a routine local training sortie yesterday, the aircrew flew the MQ-1B to a pre-programmed loiter path in a safe location away from human activity, per Air Force flight regulations. The aircraft crashed while orbiting on this path.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, but a board has been convened to investigate. No one was injured as a result of the incident, and no private property was affected.

The aircraft was assigned to the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, which is part of the Air Force's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Formal Training Unit at the 49th Wing.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available on the Holloman website at www.holloman.af.mil. Photos of and fact sheets for the MQ-1B can also be found on the Holloman website.