ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 325855
| Date: | Wednesday 6 February 1991 |
| Time: | 18:09 |
| Type: |  Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker |
| Owner/operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 58-0013 |
| MSN: | 17758 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1959 |
| Engine model: | Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-102 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial, repaired |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Jeddah -
 Saudi Arabia
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Jeddah-Prince Abdullah Air Base (JED/OEJN) |
| Jeddah-Prince Abdullah Air Base (JED/OEJN) |
The KC-135E was engaged in a midair refueling mission as part of Operation Desert Storm, operating under the call sign Whale 05. The aircraft was scheduled to take off from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 17:24 local time and climb to FL250 for aerial refueling. Another KC-135 took off at about the same time and was supposed to fly on the same route.
Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, while at FL250, Whale 05 encountered wake turbulence from the other KC-135 ahead. It banked more than 90 degrees to the left, and in a few seconds, followed by a roll to the right with a bank angle exceeding 90 degrees. The captain deployed the speed brake and recovered the aircraft to an almost horizontal state.
During the upset event, engines no.1 and 2 on the left wing had separated from the wing.
The captain dumped fuel and declared a Mayday, stating they would return to Jeddah. At FL160 it was established that the aircraft was controllable.
On approach to Jeddah, the landing gear was deployed manually because the hydraulic system was damaged. The pilot requested an ILS approach and landing on runway 34L, which was the longest runway.
The aircraft landed safely and stopped on the runway.
Sources:
www.grissom.afrc.af.mil
Images:
photo (c) U.S. Air Force; Jeddah; 06 February 1991
Revision history:
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