Killen Regional Airport Reopens After Military Plane Makes Emergency Landing

Flights in and out of Killeen Regional Airport have resumed after an emergency landing by a military aircraft prompted delays Wednesday afternoon.

A C-5 Galaxy plane out of San Antonio’s Kelly Air Force Base was making touch-and-go landings when the crew noticed a shudder emanating from the craft’s nose gear around 12:35 p.m. They landed the craft in Killeen where a maintenance crew looked over the plane. They found nothing wrong, but the plane’s presence on the runway caused delays because a specialized tow truck was required to move the craft. The truck had to make a long trip from San Antonio.

Incoming flights were diverted to other airports, including Temple’s Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport. Passengers looking to fly out were shuttled to Waco Regional Airport. The Killeen Regional Airport runway was reopened shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday.

The C-5 Galaxy is the largest military plane with a wingspan of 222 feet and a height of about 65 feet.