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KC-135 aborting takeoff after likely engine failure
Filmed on Mar. 29, 2025 by Matt Cochran (CLICK HERE to check out his awesome YouTube Channel) at Atlanta International Airport (ATL) the video in this post features a KC-135 Stratotanker belonging to the 912th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS), 452nd Air Mobility Wing (AMW) from March Air Reserve Base (ARB), aborting takeoff after an engine failure.
Considering the shower of sparks shown in the footage, we can lean towards one of the following scenarios: a compressor stall (which tend to occur during large throttle movements), FOD ingestion, or material failure of some kind (such as losing a turbine bearing).
March Air Reserve Base
The 452d Air Mobility Wing and March Field – The Premier Air Mobility Wing and Model DoD Installation. The KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globemaster III are the two weapons systems flown at the 452nd AMW.
The 912th Air Refueling Squadron is a United States Air Force squadron assigned to the 92d Operations Group and stationed at March Air Reserve Base, California.
The 92d Operations Group is responsible for 6 squadrons: the 92d Air Refueling Squadron, 93d Air Refueling Squadron, 97th Air Refueling Squadron, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, the 912th Air Refueling Squadron, and the 92d Operations Support Squadron. The 92d Operations Support Squadron oversees the following functions: weather, tactics, aircrew training, aircrew flight equipment, airfield management, air traffic control, combat crew communications, current operations and the wing’s flight simulator.
March Air Reserve Base is located in Southern California and is home to the Air Force Reserve Command’s largest air mobility wing. In addition to the Air Force Reserve Command, March ARB is home to units from the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Air National Guard.
The Stratotanker
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights of up to 322,500 pounds. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.
Of the original KC-135As, more than 415 have been modified with new CFM-56 engines produced by CFM-International and designated either the KC-135R or KC-135T.
The re-engined tanker can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A.
Under another modification program, a re-engined tanker with the TF-33-PW-102 engine was designated the KC-135E. In 2009, the last KC-135E retired from the inventory.
Photo credit: Matt Cochran
