Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crash, May 3, 2013 (3 killed)
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker accident on May 3, 2013 near Chaldovar, Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan with 3 fatalities. Cause: Tail section separated from...
- Date: May 3, 2013
- Aircraft: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
- Location: Chaldovar, Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan
- Fatalities: 3
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Tail section separated from structural overstress during an unrecognized dutch roll, driven by a malfunctioning flight control augmentation and series yaw damper, autopilot use and rudder inputs. Training and procedural guidance were contributing factors.
A USAF KC-135R on a refuelling mission from Manas broke up in flight near Chaldovar, Kyrgyzstan after a tail section failure. The three crew were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by fire on impact. The investigation found the tail separated after dutch roll oscillations exceeded structural limits.