A 'Bat' sea helicopter hit the water last night (Monday) as part of a training flight, near the coast of Haifa.
Did you divide? For thousands of years we dreamed of Jerusalem, so now we want to dirty it?
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
There were three crew members on the helicopter, a patrol officer and two pilots.
The helicopter crew members were rescued by Yalatham fighters, Shayetet 13 fighters, 669 fighters, and maritime police forces who provided the pilots with first aid.
The patrol officer who was moderately injured was located early after the crash and taken to the hospital.
Both pilots were rescued after two hours of searching. After resuscitation efforts, both pilots were pronounced dead.
A message was delivered to the families. The IDF shares their grief and will continue to accompany them.
The Commander of the Air Force, Major General Amikam Norkin, ordered the grounding of the 'Atalf' formation and also ordered the cessation of training flights in the Air Force.
In addition, the Air Force Commander appointed an investigation team headed by Brigadier General T.
Air Force Chief of Staff Brigadier General Amir Lazar: "The helicopter hit the water on the way back from a training flight. There were 3 soldiers on board. The Navy man was moderately injured, and the 2 pilots were killed. The Air Force grounded the Bat helicopter array and appointed an investigation committee to examine the accident.
""This is a serious and painful accident. The helicopters are old and reliable and operate continuously with the Navy. The technical components will be carefully examined.".
The 'Atalf' helicopter is a maritime patrol helicopter that was accepted into the Air Force in 1996. Its main missions are assisting the naval branch, observing enemy shores, and search, rescue, and extraction from vessels and at sea.
Former Navy Commander, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eliezer Marom, commented on the helicopter crash in a conversation with 'Kan News': "As I understand it, they were on a training flight, finished it and were on their way to Ramat David. Apparently there was a malfunction and the pilot tried to land on the sea. He has a system that allows him to float.".
