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2 Predators crash in Iraq in 2 days

Another MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle has crashed near Balad Air Base, Iraq, the second such accident in as many days.

The most recent crash occurred Tuesday at about 8 p.m. local time. The off-base crash did not appear to be caused by hostile fire, an Air Force press release said. No collateral damage or injuries were reported. The crash was in an unpopulated area.

On Monday, a Predator crashed at the end of a runway on Balad Air Base in Iraq while landing there at about 11 p.m. No injuries or building damage resulted.

The crash also did not appear to be from enemy fire, an Air Force statement said. A board will be convened to investigate the incident.

In the past year, five Predators, costing more than $3 million each, have crashed. Reports on two of the accidents have yet to be released. A third report said an Aug. 3, 2006, crash at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., was the result of an instructor pilot mistakenly pushing a button that shut down the engine. The pilot had wanted to lower the plane’s landing gear.

The Predator is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remote-controlled aircraft. The primary mission of the plane is armed reconnaissance.