Report: Fire caused Predator crash Published Dec. 29, 2004 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- A fire caused an MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to crash while supporting operations near Balad Air Base, Iraq, on Aug. 17, according to an Air Force report released Dec. 29.A misrouted oil line failed and leaked oil into the engine bay causing a fire, which spread and ultimately made the aircraft uncontrollable.The Predator, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., was valued at $4.2 million and destroyed upon impact. There were no injuries or damage to other property or equipment. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)