The United States on Friday confirmed to have lost four of the six people onboard the KC-135 plane that crashed over Iraq on Thursday. The KC-135 refueling plane that was part of the American military campaign against Iran crashed over western Iraq after an incident involving another plane.
File: A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial-refuelling aircraft flies over Tel Aviv on March 4, 2026. (AFP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The US Central Command said four of the six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed dead, adding that it loss of the aircraft “was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire”.
“Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq… TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified, it said.
Iran military claims it struck US plane
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified, it said.
Iran military claims it struck US plane
{{/usCountry}}
Iran's military, however, had claimed in a statement carried by state TV that an allied group in Iraq had downed the aircraft with a missile, killing all its crew.
Reports said on Thursday night that the second plane involved in the incident was also a KC-135 and that it landed in Israel.
The KC-135 is at least the fourth US military aircraft lost during the war in the Middle East, after three F-15s were shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait, AFP news agency reported.
The crash comes amid intense drone and military exchange over the Middle East sparked by the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and latter's retaliation.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Early in the conflict, Kuwaiti forces mistakenly downed three American F-15E fighters, but all six crewmembers were able to eject, according to CENTCOM.
That incident occurred during combat including "attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones," the military command said at the time.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Home/World News/Not hostile fire, 4 onboard dead: US on KC-135 refuelling plane crash over Iraq
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
