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Maj. Zohar

Apache disaster: 'Pilots identified a fault in steering ability'

Expert committee reaffirms that IAF helicopter crash, in which Maj. Zohar died and Lt. On was seriously injured, was caused due to technical malfunction; Apache helicopters remain grounded prior to final report's findings.

More than two weeks after an IDF Apache helicopter crashed at the southern Ramon army base, the families of Major (res.) David Zohar, who died in the crash, and 1st Lt. On., who was seriously injured, received an interim report on the incident. The report confirmed the preliminary findings, according to which the pilots identified a malfunction in the helicopter's steering ability and tried to bring it to land in the base area, with the helicopter eventually crashing.

 

  

The team of experts who authored the report, led by Colonel O., presented the report's findings to Israeli Air Force Head Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin.

 

Maj. David Zohar
Maj. David Zohar

 

The purpose of the report was to present interim findings, directions for further investigation and recommendations for immediate actions required in the light of what has already been discovered, which confirmed that the helicopter crew had identified a fault in the helicopter's steering ability.

 

Despite it being nighttime, the pilots managed to begin a landing procedure within the base. However, they did not manage to complete the landing attempt, with the helicopter eventually crashing.

 

According to the interim report, no connection was found between the crash and a crack that was found in the rear rotor blade of the Apache helicopter two months prior.

 

Norkin accepted the interim report's recommendations and instructed to carry out a comprehensive investigation, with the cooperation of Boeing (the Apache manufacturer) and the US military. He further instructed to continue keeping all IAF Apache helicopters grounded until the completion of the investigation and the implementation of all the actions found to be necessary before their return to action.

 

Since the accident, Lt. On's condition hs improved. The late Maj. Zohar, 43, is survived by his parents, his two brothers, his wife and their four children.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.23.17, 22:24
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