FRANKFURT, Germany – A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift transport aircraft declared an in-flight emergency shortly after departure today, performing a standard fuel dump over southwest Germany to facilitate a safe landing.
The aircraft, operating under the call sign RCH633, departed from Spangdahlem Air Base earlier this afternoon. Shortly into the flight, the crew declared an emergency (squawk 7700), prompting an immediate diversion.
To ensure the massive airlifter was light enough to touch down without damaging the landing gear or airframe, the pilots began a fuel jettison maneuver.
- Location: The fuel dump occurred in the vicinity of Ramstein Air Base.
- Altitude: Operations were conducted at approximately 7,000 feet.
- Objective: Reaching a “maximum landing weight” is a standard safety procedure for long-haul aircraft that take off with heavy fuel loads but must return to base prematurely.
While fuel dumping can sound alarming, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the fuel is intended to atomize and dissipate into a fine mist before reaching the ground, minimizing the environmental impact on the communities below.
Military officials have not yet specified the nature of the emergency, though “Reach” (RCH) flights typically handle cargo and personnel transport across the European theater. Air traffic control in Frankfurt is monitoring the situation closely to ensure separation from civilian traffic in the busy German airspace.
UPDATE 14:15 CET
The Boeing C-17A is circling over Ramstein Air Base, still holding 7,000 feet to burn or dump fuel.
UPDATE 15:12 CET
The aircraft is still circling almost 4 hours after takeoff.
UPDATE 16:23 CET
Now circling and burning fuel 4 hours after departure.
UPDATE 16:54 CET
Now out of holding pattern.
UPDATE 17:05 CET
The Boeing C-17A has landed at Ramstein Air Base after circling for several hours.
