US Flying Gas Station Goes Missing Over Qatar, Called ‘Emergency’ Moments Ago
The flight tracking data show the plane flew in a circular pattern in the air for a while, before it begun its descent for landing.
- Edited by:Sanstuti Nath
- World News
- May 05, 2026 15:15 pm IST
- Published OnMay 05, 2026 15:04 pm IST
- Last Updated OnMay 05, 2026 15:15 pm IST
Read Time:3 mins
In March, the US military lost a KC-135 in an Iranian attack in western Iraq.
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Washington:
A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which acts as a flying gas Station for US military planes, issued a “7700” distress signal, declaring an in-flight emergency while flying over the Persian Gulf off Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions, the Flightradar24 data showed. The American aerial took off from the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before it’s signals were lost over Qatar.
The aircraft had reportedly been operating over the Middle East in support of ongoing military operations.
The flight tracking data show the plane flew in a circular pattern in the air for a while, before it begun its descent for landing. The exact cause of the emergency remains unclear, and there has been no official confirmation linking the incident to hostile action.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on the disappearance, citing data from Flightradar24. There has been no statement from Iran indicating its involvement in the US military plane’s emergency.
US Flying Gas Station Goes Missing Over Qatar, Called ‘Emergency’ Moments Ago
The flight tracking data show the plane flew in a circular pattern in the air for a while, before it begun its descent for landing.
- Edited by:Sanstuti Nath
- World News
- May 05, 2026 15:15 pm IST
- Published OnMay 05, 2026 15:04 pm IST
- Last Updated OnMay 05, 2026 15:15 pm IST
Read Time:3 mins
In March, the US military lost a KC-135 in an Iranian attack in western Iraq.
Washington:
A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which acts as a flying gas Station for US military planes, issued a “7700” distress signal, declaring an in-flight emergency while flying over the Persian Gulf off Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions, the Flightradar24 data showed. The American aerial took off from the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before it’s signals were lost over Qatar.
The aircraft had reportedly been operating over the Middle East in support of ongoing military operations.
The flight tracking data show the plane flew in a circular pattern in the air for a while, before it begun its descent for landing. The exact cause of the emergency remains unclear, and there has been no official confirmation linking the incident to hostile action.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on the disappearance, citing data from Flightradar24. There has been no statement from Iran indicating its involvement in the US military plane’s emergency.
Other Missions
Apart from refuelling aircraft mid-air, KC-135 can also carry passengers and cargo, support aeromedical evacuation missions and transport injured or ill patients using specialised medical pallets.
During medical evacuation flights, a medical team consisting of flight nurses and technicians can be added to the crew. Depending on the configuration, it can transport around 37,600 kg of cargo or several dozen passengers.