Particle.news
Download on the App Store

US KC-135 Tanker Declares Emergency Over UK, Lands Safely at Mildenhall

The scare highlights renewed scrutiny of KC-135 safety following a recent fatal crash under investigation.

Overview

  • The refuelling jet, which declared a Squawk 7700 emergency Saturday, was flying from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.
  • Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft orbiting off the Norfolk coast after reports of a hydraulic problem from an aircraft-tracking account on X.
  • Controllers were reportedly asked about diverting to London Heathrow for a longer runway, though the flight continued toward Mildenhall.
  • The tanker was identified as REACH 123 and appeared to land safely at RAF Mildenhall, with details based on tracking sources rather than an official military statement.
  • The episode follows the March 12 Iraq crash of a KC-135 that killed six airmen, which the U.S. military says was not due to hostile fire and remains under investigation.