IDF aircrew members Lt. Col. (res.) Noam Ron (49) of Oranit and Maj. (res.) Erez Flekser (31) of Herzliya were killed in the early hours of the morning when their Bell AH-1 Cobra combat helicopter crashed overnight (Tuesday, March 12) during a routine training flight in the Shfela region.
Commander of the IAF Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Maj. Gen. Eshel has also ordered to ground all Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters until the circumstances of the accident are clarified.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., contact was lost with the helicopter as it was en route from a routine training flight to Palmachim Airbase. IDF ground and air forces commenced a wide-scale search for the aircraft and the pilots. At approximately 5:15 a.m. the remains of the helicopter were discovered and no survivors were found.
The IDF and its soldiers join the grieving families in mourning their loss.
Source: IDF