USAF Aerial refuelling Tanker Nearly Out of Fuel After Multiple Failed Approaches

A KC-135 Nearly Ran Out of Fuel After Repeated Failed Approaches

On the evening of January 23, 2024, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 operating as ASTRA81 faced a rapidly tightening margin near Wichita, Kansas. The tanker had attempted multiple ILS approaches to McConnell Air Force Base without success. It then diverted to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, where the weather was also extremely poor. By the time the crew contacted Wichita Approach, only about 30 minutes of fuel remained.

McConnell Approaches Fail

ASTRA81, a KC-135 from Fairchild Air Force Base, attempted the ILS Runway 01L approach at McConnell several times. The crew suspected an equipment problem at the airport and chose to divert to ICT. The weather there included a ceiling of about 200 feet and visibility of one-half mile. The runway was reportedly not visible from the tower cab.

Fuel Becomes the Central Constraint

When the tanker checked in with Wichita Approach controller Tyler Spencer, the crew reported approximately 30 minutes of fuel. Spencer declared an emergency immediately. The aircraft could not acquire the ILS at ICT either, so Spencer switched the plan to an RNAV approach and coordinated the handoff to tower.

The Response Expands

Newly certified tower controller William Wyatt worked with the crew, while supervisor Cameron Haynes left his tower position to assist in the TRACON. Controllers Allison Healey and Cody Wilkerson searched for alternate airports within roughly 100 miles. Another tanker could not provide airborne refueling for ASTRA81, so the solution had to come from landing the aircraft.

The Second Attempt Fails

ASTRA81’s next approach was unsuccessful. The crew was having difficulty stabilizing the approach in the low visibility. William provided mileage information from the runway centerline, while Tony DeHaven used his military experience to provide surveillance-approach guidance. The team continued to work toward a final attempt.

The Landing and the Remaining Fuel

ASTRA81 eventually landed safely with approximately 12.8 minutes of fuel remaining. The figure is significant because the crew had reported about 30 minutes earlier, showing how quickly the margin contracted during repeated approaches and missed approaches. The controllers involved later received the 2024 Central Region Archie League Medal of Safety Award.

NATCA’s award account records the concern behind the response: ASTRA81 checked in with Tyler Spencer at Wichita Approach and stated they had only 30 minutes of fuel remaining. The subsequent sequence shows why the controllers immediately treated the flight as an emergency and widened the search for alternatives.

Accident Facts

Sources

• Video source (ATC/audio reconstruction)
• NATCA 2024 Archie League Medal of Safety Award: https://natca.org/community/awards/2024-archie-league-medal-of-safety-award-winners/
• Incident reconstruction: https://flightfollower.net/incident/usaf-aerial-refuelling-tanker-nearly-out-of-fuel-after-multiple-failed/
• Expanded feature: https://flightfollower.net/read/wichita-kc135-tanker-fuel-emergency/
• Video/ATC recording