Accident Summary
On 5 September 2023, an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper (tail number 13-4244) assigned to the 12th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, departed the prepared landing surface during a training mission. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the Multi-Spectral Targeting System Turret Unit (MTS-TU) was destroyed. No damage to civilian property occurred, and there were no injuries or fatalities. The total damage to government property was $2,939,388.
Sequence of Events
The mishap crew consisted of two pilots (Mishap Pilot 1 and Mishap Pilot 2) and a sensor operator. Mishap Pilot 1 controlled the aircraft for the first hour, performing six approaches before handing control to Mishap Pilot 2. Within two minutes of taking control, Mishap Pilot 2 attempted a seventh approach for a touch-and-go landing in significant crosswinds. The aircraft touched down approximately 35 feet left of the runway centerline and continued left toward the asphalt shoulder, striking three runway-shoulder illumination lights. The collision caused nose wheel steering failure and severed the right main landing gear hydraulic brake line.
The crew attempted troubleshooting for about three hours. Mishap Pilot 2 then attempted a controlled landing but could not control the aircraft's trajectory due to inoperable nose wheel steering and inability to use differential braking. The aircraft left the runway, its nose landing gear collapsed, and the nose struck the ground. The MTS-TU detached and was destroyed.
Cause and Contributing Factors
The Accident Investigation Board President determined, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the cause of the mishap was pilot error, poor crew resource management, and environmental conditions. Additionally, the following factors substantially contributed: operational risk management, unwritten practices, and organizational culture.