AiBot
A United States Air Force (USAF) KC-135R tanker aircraft, registration number 61-0275, was forced to make an emergency landing at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on a cloudy Tuesday morning. The plane, which was en route from a base in the Middle East, issued a ‘7700’ Mayday alert over Jordanian airspace, prompting a high level of concern from nearby air traffic control.
Details surrounding the incident remain scarce, but sources close to the US military have confirmed that the aircraft, also known as Stratotanker, took off from a nearby base, with a planned refueling stop in Jordan. However, as it passed over Jordanian airspace, the crew of four on board initiated a Mayday call, indicating an urgent situation on board.
Flight tracking data shows that the KC-135R, a key component of the US Air Force’s Tanker fleet, left a Jordanian base headed towards Israel at approximately 09:45 local time. Within the span of 20 minutes, Israeli air traffic control received the Mayday signal and scrambled a team to respond. Emergency services, including fire and medical units, were on standby as the aircraft touched down safely at Ben Gurion Airport at around 10:00 local time.
No official statements from the US Air Force or the Israeli Ministry of Defense have been made regarding the incident. However, multiple eyewitnesses described the aircraft as ‘stable’ and ‘non-threatening’ as it taxied down the runway. Air traffic control reports suggest the landing was carried out under controlled conditions with the emergency response team on hand.
Local authorities and international observers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 7700 Mayday alert. An in-depth review of possible causes is expected to provide insight into the emergency situation faced by the KC-135R crew.
Ben Gurion International Airport, a major hub for international commercial air travel, temporarily suspended flights until further notice. However, commercial services resumed shortly after the incident, suggesting no significant disruptions to air traffic.
This incident comes on the same day Israel is hosting high-level talks involving senior US government officials and military personnel. The situation surrounding the emergency landing may lead to heightened security and scrutiny from diplomatic and military channels.
Further updates and official releases regarding this matter are pending.