A drone belonging to the Department of Homeland Security was purposely crashed near San Diego during a border security mission, according to the Associated Press.
The drone was surveilling the border off the coast of Southern California on Monday night when it encountered a mechanical problem almost 20 miles southwest of San Diego, the AP reported.
Home Security spokesman Mike Friel said the reason for the technical glitch is unknown, the AP reported. The remaining drones have been grounded while investigators determine what occurred.
"The CBP Office of Air and Marine flight crew ditched one of its unmanned Predator B "Guardians'' into the sea about 11:15 p.m. Monday", according to agency spokesman Michael Friel, CBS reported.
The drone was being controlled by an operating crew located in Texas, according to the AP. After the mechanical issue arose, the crew decided to crash it in the ocean.
According to Friel, when the drone began to malfunction the crew controllers realized flying it back to its home base at Libby Army Airfield in Arizona was impossible and purposely crashed it into the ocean, CBS reported.
The drone cost $12 million and was one of 10 owned by the Department of Homeland Security who uses them to patrol the border with Mexico, the AP reported.
The crashed drone was one of two drones named Predator B drones and was equipped with a radar capability made to be used over the ocean, according to the AP.
San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com
