An MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft operating under the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio crashed yesterday in the Mojave desert area, north of El Mirage Airfield, in Southern California. The aircraft flew on a daylight test mission. It took off from the Gray Butte Airfield located about 5 miles east of El Mirage. Both airfields are about midway between Palmdale and Victorville and are about 15 miles south of Edwards AFB. The cause of the accident will be investigated by an Air Force investigation board.
