US Air Force KC-135R diverts to RAF Mildenhall after declaring emergency over France
A US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker declared an in-flight emergency while cruising over French airspace and landed safely at RAF Mildenhall. No injuries were reported and no cause has been released.
A US Air Force Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker diverted to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, on Monday morning after declaring an in-flight emergency over French airspace, according to airlive.net. The aircraft, a military aerial refueling tanker, flew under the callsign MC724 and the registration 60-0366.
It had left Aviano NATO Air Base in northern Italy at about 9:00 AM local time, bound for the United States. Cruising at 36,000 feet over France and preparing for the transatlantic leg of its route, the crew squawked 7700, the transponder code for a general emergency.
Controllers routed the aircraft toward the United Kingdom. Flight tracking data showed the Stratotanker turning toward East Anglia in a steep descent to 16,000 feet.
The tanker landed safely at RAF Mildenhall at 11:00 AM local time. Following the precautionary procedure for in-flight emergencies, military fire trucks met the aircraft on the runway and inspected it before it taxied to the apron.
No injuries were reported. Officials have not yet released the specific mechanical or operational cause of the emergency call. RAF Mildenhall is a primary forward-operating location and air refueling hub for US Air Forces in Europe.
Sources
- airlive.netUS Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker declares emergency over France, diverts to RAF Mildenhall