On August 14, 2021, this channel published exclusive, neverbeforeseen footage showing the crash of a Reaper drone at Mathis Field Airport in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that, the public had never seen footage of a Reaper drone crashing. That accident, however, wasn't the only crash of a Reaper drone.

On 25 June 2020, at about 13:24 Zulu time, an unmanned MQ9A, tail number 154295, lost engine power shortly after takeoff and impacted the ground at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Syracuse, New York, coming to rest approximately 600 feet from the departure end of runway 33. The mishap aircraft was assigned to the 174th Attack Wing and operated by the 108th Attack Squadron's Launch and Recovery Element located at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base. The mishap aircraft was significantly damaged on impact resulting in a loss of government property valued at $6,085,179. Damage to civilian property was minimal, and there were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is not in possession of video of the mishap itself, and to the extent the Air Force is, they are not releasing it. Indeed, I was only able to obtain footage of the San Antonio crash because there was no way to stop its release under Texas law. However there is footage of the accident's aftermath, and it's surprisingly highquality, having been captured in 4K. As you will see, I also requested records from the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, under New York's Freedom of Information Law. In response, SRAA released... three photographs. Total. And they claim that's all they have.

At 13:23:41 Zulu, the mishap pilot applied takeoff power to the mishap aircraft and began the takeoff down runway 33 at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. At 13:24:14Z, the mishap aircraft lifted off the runway and began to climb out for departure. Approximately seven seconds after becoming airborne and about 150 feet above ground level, the mishap aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power. Investigation determined that the loss of engine power was due to the mishap pilot misidentifying the aircraft's Flap Lever. Instead of pushing the Flap Lever forward to reduce the flaps, the mishap pilot retarded the Condition Lever, which cut off fuel supply to the engine, with obvious consequences. After realizing that the engine had lost power, in accordance with an emergency procedures checklist, the mishap crew, which consisted of the mishap pilot and mishap sensor operator, began running the Critical Action Procedures for an engine failure. The mishap pilot continued to misidentify the appropriate lever, and fully retarded the Flap Lever. The mishap aircraft impacted the ground twentyone seconds after the initial loss of engine power. Upon impact, the mishap aircraft struck airport runway lights, spun 180degrees, and came to rest approximately 600' off the departure end of runway 33.

The Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board president found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the cause of the mishap was the mishap pilot misidentifying the Flap Lever and pulling aft, or back, on the Condition Lever instead of pushing forward on the Flap Lever. This cut the fuel supply to the engine, causing the engine to stop and the mishap aircraft to impact the ground. Further, the AAIB President found, by a preponderance of the evidence that the following factor substantially contributed to the mishap: the design of the pilot Ground Control Station Control Console Throttle Quadrant, including the proximity of the Condition Lever and the Flap Lever, lack of markings, color differentiation, or a safety guard.

As noted at the end of this video, YouTube has decided to demonetize videos of accidents that show "a strong moment of impact," regardless of context. I produce this channel because I believe that transportation safety is enhanced through transparent and accessible disclosures of the facts. If you find value in this channel's content, please consider supporting my work by clicking "Join" and becoming a channel member today.

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