Attrition Report
A US Air Force Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) report released by Air Combat Command on November 20 has revealed details of the previously unreported loss of an MQ-1B Predator in the US Central Command area of responsibility on November 8, 2015. The MQ-1B (98-3040) was assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, 432nd Wing, and was forward deployed to an unspecified location from Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.
The aircraft was on a combat support mission. At approximately 1638 Zulu (GMT) time, the deployed launch and recovery element (LRE) took control of the MQ-1 from the mission control element. The aircraft was returning to its base early due to an outside air temperature sensor failure. Over the next 15 minutes, the LRE commanded a descent for landing and started working through the appropriate checklist procedures.