Overview
- The Air Force confirms a Sept. 23 mishap involved an unmanned aircraft from Creech AFB’s 432nd Wing on public land just outside the Area 51 boundary, with no injuries and recovery completed by Sept. 27.
- A follow-up survey on Oct. 3 found "signs of tampering," including an inert training bomb and an aircraft panel of unknown origin, prompting a joint investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI.
- The FAA imposed a five‑nautical‑mile temporary flight restriction east of Area 51 on the day of the crash for national security reasons, which remained in effect until Oct. 1.
- Local monitor Joerg Arnu reports radio traffic about a lockdown and armed roadblocks on Sept. 23 and later observed a new access road, buried debris and burned Joshua trees near the site.
- Officials have not disclosed the aircraft model or mission, and outside observers are speculating about a next‑generation or AI‑enabled drone without official confirmation.