A Boeing Co. 747 jumbo jet used to haul large plane parts for manufacturing was temporarily stuck at a small Kansas airport after it mistakenly landed there amid apparent confusion by its pilots.

The unusual landing occurred late Wednesday at Colonel James Jabara Airport, about 8 miles north of the jet's intended destination of McConnell Air Force Base. The plane is one of four 747s modified to carry big body and wing parts for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner between factories around the world. Those planes routinely land at the McConnell...