Engine failure causes Predator crash Published Sept. 20, 2002 LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- Air Force investigators have determined that engine failure caused an Air Force RQ-1B Predator aircraft to crash May 25 near Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The aircraft was conducting a mission in support of Operation Southern Watch.The Predator, which is an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, sustained significant damage, primarily to the payload and landing gear. The loss is valued at $1.48 million. The aircraft hit the ground about six miles from the base. No one was injured in the accident.According to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released Sept. 19, the primary cause of the accident was catastrophic failure of a cylinder rocker arm, which resulted in engine failure.The aircraft, which was assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., was deployed as part of the 15th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. (Courtesy of ACC News Service)