What happened
On 14 July 2022, an MQ-9A, serial number 17-4341, crashed into an open field within the United States European Command (EUCOM) Area of Responsibility. The aircraft initially departed under the control of a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) before being handed over to a Mission Control Element (MCE). During the mission, the aircraft experienced failures in the aircraft control network subsystem, which subsequently triggered a fault in the electrical engine control system.
Following these malfunctions, the MCE initiated a "land as soon as possible" procedure and transferred control back to the LRE. The crew, consisting of a pilot and sensor operator, attempted to manage the emergency by running checklists. Believing the aircraft was suffering from "stuck torque," the crew prepared for an engine-out approach. Upon reaching the initial approach point, the pilot moved the condition lever to the full AFT position, which cut fuel to the engine and shut it down.
Despite the loss of thrust, the pilot attempted a "go around" maneuver because onboard displays suggested the engine was still functional. This attempt failed due to the lack of power, leading the aircraft into a stall. The MQ-9A impacted the ground, causing no fatalities or injuries, though the loss of government property was valued at $14,600,000.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by an Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board examined flight data logs, maintenance documentation, and witness testimony. The board reviewed the sequence of technical failures, including the aircraft control network malfunction and its impact on engine indications. Investigators also scrutinized the crew's decision-making process, specifically their diagnosis of the engine failure and their adherence to emergency checklists during the descent.
Findings
- Pilot error driven by channelized attention and poor airmanship was identified as the primary cause. The pilot focused on incorrect "stuck torque" indications, which led to a misdiagnosis of the emergency as an Engine Throttle Control Failure.
- The crew failed to perform a necessary controllability check in the landing configuration prior to the approach.
- The crew's diagnosis of the emergency procedure was incorrect, leading to an inappropriate recovery strategy.
- The pilot relied on unreliable engine indications from the Heads Down Display (HDD) and attempted maneuvers that the aircraft could not support after the engine was intentionally shut down.
- A lack of involvement from the unit Commander, who was present for takeoff but left the station during the emergency, hindered effective crew resource management.