Spokesman for the US Navy's 6th Fleet says they came to the “logical conclusion” that it was probably shot down, because of where it was and the fighting going on in that region. - File photo

WASHINGTON: A US military investigation has concluded that a Navy drone that disappeared along the coast in central Libya in June was probably shot down by forces loyal to Libyan strongman Muammar Qadhafi.

Lt. Cmdr. Mark Walton, a spokesman for the US Navy's 6th Fleet, says the investigation found that the unmanned Fire Scout that disappeared June 21 was not brought down by mechanical failure or operator error.

He says that because investigators were unable to examine the wreckage or the crash site, they can't be completely sure what happened.

He says they came to the “logical conclusion” that it was probably shot down, because of where it was and the fighting going on in that region.

The Fire Scout was unarmed and conducting a surveillance mission.