KC-135 aircraft from 128th Air Refueling Wing lands safely at Mitchell Airport after in-flight emergency

MILWAUKEE -- A plane from the 128th Air Refueling Wing landed without incident at General Mitchell International Airport Wednesday, June 17th after experiencing an "in-flight emergency."

Major John Capra with the 128th Air Refueling Wing tells FOX6 News the KC-135 aircraft was out on a routine mission on Wednesday morning, and was returning from delivering troops to the United Kingdom.

About an hour and 30 minutes from Mitchell Airport, as the plane was headed into Milwaukee, the aircraft's crew noticed a warning on a gauge on the aircraft's dashboard -- related to one of the four jet engines.

An in-flight emergency was declared.

As a precaution, one of the four engines that powers the aircraft was shut down in an effort to not damage the engine in question while in flight.

The crew brought the aircraft into Milwaukee under the power of three engines. Major Capra tells FOX6 News the aircraft could fly with just one of its four engines if need be.

Just after 11:15 a.m., the plane landed without incident at Mitchell Airport.

The plane was then impounded, and it will be inspected by the 128th Air Refueling Wing's quality assurance crew before jet engine technicians inspect it.

Major Capra says 128th Air Refueling Wing flight crews take part in multiple training sessions every year to prepare for the various scenarios that could arise while in flight.