Report: Pilot error caused Predator crash Published June 10, 2005 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Pilot error caused the Nov. 24, 2004 crash of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle at an undisclosed military installation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, according to an accident investigation board report released June 10.During a functional check-flight, the Predator had a navigation system malfunction resulting in the pilot deciding to immediately land the aircraft. During the landing sequence, the pilot failed to disengage the airspeed hold, as required by the landing checklist, resulting in the aircraft not being properly configured to land. The Predator, assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., crashed near the runway and was destroyed. No one was injured.The investigation determined the navigation system malfunction, while a distraction, did not preclude the aircraft being landed safely. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)