Post by : Bianca
Haleem
A KC-135 military tanker crashed in Kyrgyzstan, raising questions about crew safety and parachute use. The investigation is ongoing.
The KC-135 has a strong safety record, is well-maintained, and frequently updated, said Alan Diehl, a former Air Force Safety Center investigator. He examined past mishaps involving these planes.
The most serious KC-135 midair accident occurred in 1966 near Palomares, Spain, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs collided with a tanker. Four people died, and nuclear material spread, requiring a major cleanup.
Diehl noted that parachutes were not always required on KC-135s, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. The cost of maintaining parachutes and training crews was high. The KC-135 is designed with a flight deck escape hatch and a spoiler to help airmen jump clear if needed.
In 2008, an Air Force news release explained that removing parachutes from KC-135s was safer statistically, particularly over enemy territory. “KC-135s seldom have mishaps, and the likelihood a crew member would need a parachute is extremely low,” the release stated.
It is unclear whether parachutes would have helped the crew in this recent crash. Experts say the second plane landed safely, suggesting the collision might not have been catastrophic.
The KC-135 that crashed had six people onboard. Diehl said some may have been backup crew, as the aircraft can remain in the air for many hours.
The Air Force has not confirmed if parachutes were onboard. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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