Suspicion in the crash investigation: An explosion in the engine led to a loss of control, the helicopter fell into the sea quickly

The investigation team set up following the fatal incident will examine the technical history of the old helicopter, and will closely monitor the rescue of the remains from the sea off Haifa.

Among other things, the possibility will be examined that an extreme malfunction in the engine caused the accident, and in addition the captain officer who survived will also be questioned: "He may solve the mystery"

Amir Bohbot

04/01/2022

Tuesday, 04 January 2022, 11:17 Updated: 11:18

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In the video: Documentation of the helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa and the evacuation of the wounded to Rambam (Photo: Yedioth from the field, Shlomi Gabay and documentation on social networks according to section 27A of the Copyright Law)

The Air Force began this morning (Monday) to investigate the circumstances of the helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa, in which Lt. Col. Erez Shahaini and Major Chen Fogel were killed, and another officer from the Navy was injured.

The main direction of the investigation examined at this stage is that a technical malfunction led to the disaster, but the corps hopes that the survivor who escaped will be able to shed light on the circumstances of the accident.

The crash was not preceded by a message on the communications network.

The investigation team set up by the corps commander, Major General Amikam Nurkin, headed by Colonel IX, will include experts from several fields.

Team members will accompany the collection of helicopter fragments from the shore and the rescue of the helicopter body from the sea, with an emphasis on the engine, to elaborate on further details about the last moments prior to the crash.

At the same time, the team will examine the helicopter book, which indicates periodic treatments, spare parts and unique malfunctions that were in the helicopter, and will determine the nature of the maintenance of the aircraft, with more than 20 years of experience.

Lt. Col. Erez Shahanei and Major Chen Fogel, who were killed in the crash (Photo: IDF Spokesman)

The "bat" helicopter that crashed is a naval reconnaissance helicopter captured by the Air Force in 1996. It is designed to perform a variety of military missions, including transporting fighters, fighting submarines as well as against field forces, search and rescue and medical evacuation.

The West Defenders Squadron includes five bat helicopters, and it was grounded until the end of the inspection of all the helicopters and the completion of the investigation of the fatal accident.

IDF spokesman Ran Kochav said this morning in an interview with 103FM that the IDF does not believe that the reason for the crash was a "hostile terrorist attack."

He added that a cyber attack seemed to him a "faint and untrue possibility".

However, he objected and clarified that "it is too early to determine".

More on Walla!

The crash in Haifa: The two pilots were unable to get out of the helicopter, the other officer jumped into the water and survived

To the full article

Despite the words of Kochav and the head of the air squadron, Brigadier General Amir Lazar, who clarified that all directions of the investigation are being examined, corps officials say this morning that the cause of the accident is a technical malfunction. , considering the possibility of blowing up the engine led to the loss of control of the helicopter, which crashed at the water.

"Lt. Col. Erez's life is a pilot veteran and very experienced. they completed their mission and flew in front of the coastline. Although it was a dark night, a good view of the coastline allowing you to orientation "As soon as it is possible to remove the helicopter body using a large crane and examine the engine, it will be possible to understand whether there was an extreme and fast fault - because no contact was received on the communication network about a fault or emergency."

Crash scene (Photo: Walla !, image processing)

At the same time, on the advice of the team of doctors, in the next day the team will question the captain officer who managed to jump into the water and survived the crash.

He swam until he was rescued and pulled from the water in a light to moderate condition.

So far it is not clear if the helicopter door was open at the time of the crash and the officer jumped out or if the force of the blow in the water broke the helicopter body and the door flew.

"There is an action called floating, as soon as you detect a malfunction on the helicopter and you must land in the water," corps officials explain.

"Everyone sitting in the back opens the door, and jumps as instructed by the captain. Usually the co-pilot jumps too and only the captain remains in the helicopter to land the helicopter on the water. He has the ability to prevent the helicopter body from sinking. Air Explorer may reveal. "

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