KC-135 Stratotanker Crash in Iowa Under Investigation
Five airmen were aboard the Iowa Air National Guard refueler when the front landing gear failed to deploy during touch-and-go landings.
U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotaner departs for a local mission at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa on July 25, 2023. [Credit: U.S. Air National Guard]
An Air Force investigation is underway after an Iowa Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker experienced a crash landing when its nose gear failed to deploy during a training mission.
The incident occurred while a crew of five conducted touch-and-go landings Wednesday afternoon at Sioux City Air National Guard Base, Iowa, the U.S. Air National Guard 185th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) said in a statement. No one on board the aircraft was reported injured.
"The front landing gear of the aircraft was not deployed as the aircraft came to a full stop on the airport’s main runway," the 185th ARW said in a statement. "While there is damage to the nose, the rest of the aircraft remains undamaged."
Immediately following the incident, the airport's Runway 36 remained open, while the main runway at Sioux Gateway Airport (KSUX) was closed as crash recovery personnel removed the aircraft.
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