What happened
During a flight operation over Iraq, two US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft were involved in a midair collision. One of the aircraft, identified by registration 63-8017, sustained significant damage to the upper portion of its vertical stabilizer during the impact. Despite the structural damage, the crew of 63-8017 managed to maintain control of the aircraft and successfully performed an emergency landing at Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion Airport.
In contrast, the second aircraft, registration 62-3556, became uncontrollable following the collision. The aircraft crashed in Western Iraq, where the impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. The accident resulted in six fatalities among the crew members on board 62-3556.
Findings
Official statements from the US Government confirmed that the midair collision was not the result of any hostile or enemy action. The investigation concluded that the primary cause was the midair collision between the two aircraft during their flight over Iraq.