A disconnected vacuum line caused the engine of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to stall during the aircraft’s April 28 flight from Creech AFB, Nev., ultimately leading to the aircraft making a hard landing in rough terrain west of the base, sustaining significant damage, Air Combat Command said Wednesday. ACC’s accident investigation board report said the cost to repair the Predator, assigned to Creech’s 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, is $543,178. The vacuum line controls the flow of air that mixes with fuel to power the aircraft. There were no injuries or damage to other property or equipment, said ACC. (AIB report) (ACC release)
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”