2 senior IAF pilots nearly crash mid-air
Two brigadier generals, manning F-16 fighter jets, come within 100m of each other in blatant safety violation
Two senior IAF pilots narrowly escaped a mid-air collision during training recently, prompting the Air Force to hold safety lectures for troops, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.
The two brigadier generals, Ilan Boger and Ziv Levy, were flying F-16 Lightning jets towards each other as part of a drill when they came within 100 meters of one another, a blatant violation of safety protocol. Considering the fighter jets' speed, a slight deviation could have lead to a mid-air crash.
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Boger, the head of the IAF's manpower department and a former base commander, and Ziv Levy, the Hatzerim base commander, could face reprimand and could even be grounded. Disciplinary action is pending an investigation into the incident.
Boger with father, Herzl Bodinger (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
IAF Chief Major General Amir Eshel said he views the incident gravely, and instructed all squadron commanders to hold two-hour safety refresher courses for all pilots. In addition, all fighter pilots have been called in for a day-long safety seminar on Sunday.
The squadron commanders are to report for a similar seminar later this week.
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