Unmanned aircraft crashes, warrants emergency response on Fort Drum Airfield

JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. — Officials at Fort Drum are investigating after an unmanned plane assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division crashed on Wheeler-Sack Army airfield shortly after takeoff on Wednesday around 9:30 a.m.

Officials say after the RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aerial System crashed, Fort Drum Emergency Services quickly responded to the site and extinguished the small aircraft that was in flames.

Officials say there were no fatalities, injuries, or damage to the facilities during the incident and the aircraft does not carry any ordinance.

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The Fort Drum Environmental Compliance team responded to the crash site, completed the required testing, and removed petroleum-contaminated soil.

Officials say the aircraft was totaled.

“The response to this incident was fast, expert, and most importantly, safe. I am incredibly grateful to all working on, and behind, the scene to minimize the impact of this incident on our mission and to understand what went wrong on this flight,” said Colonel Travis McIntosh, Commander, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.