Israeli Air Force airplane crashed

An Israeli Air Force two-seater F-16I airplane crashed late Wednesday evening during training in the south of Israel, near Mitzpe Ramon.

The pilot and navigator have been described as missing, and many Israeli Defence Force troops were involved in searching for them. Pieces of the aircraft have been located.

Four F-16I aircraft, the air force's newest plane, took part in routine training over the Ramon Crater in good weather. At some point, one of the planes suddenly fell to the ground from a height of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), apparently failing to report any problem before the disaster. Another aircraft observed the plunge but apparently did not realize it would hit the ground.

Source: Bahrain News Agency (BNA)

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F-16I Fighter Jet Crashes in Makhtesh Ramon During Routine Training Flight, 11 Nov 2010

An F-16I “Sufa” (“Storm”) fighter jet crashed in Makhtesh Ramon during a routine training flight last night, Wednesday November 10th 2010, at approximately 20:00.

Representatives of the IDF notified the crew members’ families of the incident. The crew members’ names are Major Amichai Itkis, a pilot, 28, from Sde Warburg, and Major Immanuel Levy, a navigator, 30 from Ma’ale Adumin.

Search and rescue forces were called to the scene, and began to search extensively for the aircraft and the two crew members.


Photo: Maj. Gen. Ido Nachushtan surveys the location of the F-16 jet crash
Published: 11 Nov. 2010
Photo Source: http://idfspokesperson.com



(2.06.2011)