U.S. refuelling plane crashes in Iraq

Four of six crew members aboard a KC‑135 are confirmed dead after crashing in western Iraq, with rescue efforts ongoing and an investigation underway, the U.S. military says

Crew: At least three – pilot, co-pilot and boom operator. Backup team sometimes included in long flights

Powerhouse: Four Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-102 engines

Flying boom: Can transfer up to 90 tonnes of fuel mid-air to wide range of aircraft used by U.S. Air Force

Aerial refuelling requires steady flight and precise coordination between pilot and boom operator


KC-135 STRATOTANKERLength:
Height:
Wingspan:
Max. speed:
Unit cost:
41.5 metres
12.7 metres
39.9 metres
933km/h
$39.6 million

Persian Gulf
Red Sea
Caspian Sea
Mediterranean Sea
Tehran
Baghdad
60 miles
100km
JORDAN
SAUDI ARABIA
KUWAIT
EGYPT
LEBANON
SYRIA
TÜRKIYE
ISRAEL
IRAN
IRAQ
Tel Aviv
Turaibil

Mar 12, around 19:00GMT: Plane crashes near Turaibil, along Iraqi-Jordanian border. Crash not due to hostile or friendly fire, U.S. military says

Tel Aviv: Second KC‑135 tanker, believed to have been involved in incident, declares emergency before landing

Sources: CBS News, USAF
Picture: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS