Four Dead in US Aircraft Crash in Northern Iraq
A US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in northern Iraq, killing four crew members after colliding with another plane.
Cuneyd Erdogan ·
Four crew members have died following the crash of a US KC-135 refueling aircraft in northern Iraq on March 13, 2026. Two other crew members survived the incident, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The crash occurred after the KC-135 collided with another refueling aircraft. The second aircraft managed to land safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, having transmitted an international emergency 'squawk code' of 7700. Visual inspections of the second aircraft revealed damage to its vertical stabilizer.
Initial assessments indicate that the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. A full investigation into the incident is currently underway. The identities of the deceased service members will be released to the public at least 24 hours after their families have been officially notified.