Posted on 05/18/2011 6:46:23 PM PDT by TankerKC
A military aircraft crashed at Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Ventura County Wednesday afternoon.
A Boeing 707 fuel tanker carrying 158,000 pounds of jet fuel crashed shortly after take-off around 5:25 p.m. and burst into flames.
3 people were reportedly onboard. All were able to escape with minor injuries, according to Teri Reid, an Air Station spokesperson.
13 emergency units initially responded to the fire. Ventura County Fire Department brought in a water dropping helicopter to battle the blaze.
The cause of the accident was under investigation.
That they escaped the burning wreckage, is amazing!
Link with what looks like live video: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/ventura_county&id=8139154
Thank God the ones on board escaped safely. How scary!
Local news (KTLA) yammering on about ejections seats...where do they get these experts?
Seems weird they would drop water on already burning jet fuel. Maybe to dilute it?
I think its better for the environment to just burn off the fuel than let it sink into the ground.
News is saying that it is a contract 707B tanker (not a USAF KC-135). I’ve never heard of such a thing...
Um, I’m confused. a 707 is a jet. A KC 135 is a turboprop.
“News is saying that it is a contract 707B tanker (not a USAF KC-135). I’ve never heard of such a thing...”
Then, it’s got to be an Omega Air Aeriel Refueling Aircraft.
NOTHING...JUST PAY FOR THE GAS YOU TAKE!
The Omega tanker flying contract is administered by NAVAIRSYSCOM PMA 207.5. The tanker is funded for its flying hours using CNAF flying hours through PMA 207.5 to support Navy and Marine Corps Aviation.
Thus, there is no direct cost to the military units for requesting and flying with Omega. All flights are approved by the Commercial Air Services Manager, the government representative.
Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc. receives compensation per flight hour flown, regardless of how much fuel is offloaded. Fuel offloaded by the tanker is allocated and charged to the appropriate squadron in the same way that fuel received anywhere is allocated and charged, just like fuel in the hot pits, at transient operating bases, at transient government-approved civilian FBO’s, or from USAF tankers.
The cost of the fuel is the current gov’t price of JP-5 for JP-5 or JP-8 for either JP-8 or Jet A fuel. As part of the contract, Omega does not pay for its fuel, but rather uses the same government credit card that military units use to pay for fuel. Omega must also use government-approved sources for fuel.
What is contract air refueling?
Contract air refueling is a business using specially-equipped and converted civilian airplanes to serve as air refueling platforms that meet the operational needs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
How many Omega tankers are there?
Currently there are 2 KC-707 tankers and 1 KDC-10, each capable of flying up to 1200+ hours per year.
What type of aircraft is the Omega?
The KC-707 Omega is a Boeing 707-300 series aircraft. The aft portion of the aircraft was modified with the two hose and drogue assemblies. The KDC-10 is a modified DC-10 with 2 FRL wing pods.
What type of air refueling does Omega do?
Currently, Omega only conducts drogue type refueling.
I’ve never heard of such a thing...
The video is showing a jet with windows...not a -135, I guess.
Wow, glad we delayed the new ones /s
Yes, local news confirms the plane is an Omega.
Mod, can you take "KC-135 off of the title.
The KC-135 has been around forever. I caught a hop on one in 1979 or 1980, and it seemed old then.
You are mistaken. A KC-135 is a jet.
A KC 135 is a turboprop.
KC-135s are jets.
News says that fire started 90-min. ago @ 5:30 PM/PST.
They expect that it will keep burning for several more hours...
KC-135 is the USAF designation for the in-flight refueler built on a Boeing 707 airframe, and as such it is a 4 engined jet. KC-10 is a refueler built on the DC-10 airframe.
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