NONE · GENERAL ATOMICS PREDATOR B · 2006-04-25 · Nogales, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
CHI06MA121
Event ID
20060509X00531
Type
Accident
Date
2006-04-25
Location
Nogales, AZ, USA
Coordinates
31.566667, -110.941108
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
GENERAL ATOMICS
Model
PREDATOR B
Registration
UNREG
FAR Part
PUBU
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to use checklist procedures when switching operational control from PPO-1 to PPO-2, which resulted in the fuel valve inadvertently being shut off and the subsequent total loss of engine power, and lack of a flight instructor in the GCS, as required by the CBP's approval to allow the pilot to fly the Predator B. Factors associated with the accident were repeated and unresolved console lockups, inadequate maintenance procedures performed by the manufacturer, and the operator's inadequate surveillance of the UAS program.