An unmanned drone crashed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, Newsmax reported. Local telecasts indicated that the QF 4 drone crashed while taking off, exploded and sent up a large black cloud. The drone was assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group.
Base and local police have closed Highway 98 in the area and are anticipating that it will remain closed for up to 24 hours.
"This closure is being done strictly as a precautionary measure due to fires resulting from the crash and a small self-destruct charge carried on board the drone," a spokesman at the base said. "The status of this device is unknown however, it is powered by a short-life battery which will be fully depleted in 24 hours."
This is the second such time in a week that a drone was destroyed at Tyndall Air Force Base according to WJHG-TV.
The drone has a self-destruct charge that is used to destroy it if it goes off of its pre-approved flight plan. Since the Crews have said that they are waiting for 24 hours to begin clearing the wreckage, UPI.com reported.
