Border Patrol's unmanned drone aircraft crashes near Tubac

Apr. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

The U.S. Border Patrol on Tuesday confirmed that its Predator 2 unmanned drone aircraft crashed outside of the artsy town of Tubac.

The drone, which cost $6.5 million, lost contact with flight specialists at 2:49 a.m., said Michael Friel, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman. He said officials are investigating the cause of the crash and had few details.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said a resident near Morningstar Ranch east of Tubac reported hearing a loud crash at about 3 a.m. The caller went to check it out and reported a "downed aircraft" at 6:20 a.m., around the time the wreck was spotted by agents in a Blackhawk helicopter.

The drone was unveiled with much fanfare in September and has been credited in spotting or tracking 1,793 undocumented immigrants and 8,200 pounds of pot.

- Susan Carroll