Israeli Air Force pilots Lt. Col. Erez Sachyani, 38, and Maj. Chen Fogel, 27, were killed on Monday night when their military helicopter crashed off the coast of Haifa, in northern Israel. A third crew member, a naval officer, was recovered and rushed to the Rambam Medical Center, suffering from moderate injuries. The hospital said he was in stable condition.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Teams from the IAF's 669 Search and Rescue Unit, the Israeli Navy's elite Shayetet 13 commando unit, and INF divers pulled the three crew members from the wreckage. Attempts to resuscitate Sachyani and Fogel made after they were located proved unsuccessful.
The IDF is investigating the circumstances of the crash. According to a senior IAF officer, the helicopter had been in the air for around an hour before crashing. The crash is believed to have been the result of a technical malfunction.
No Mayday distress call was heard over the radio before the chopper crashed, Army Radio reported.
IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin grounded all Eurocopter AS565 Panther helicopters, the type that crashed, pending a maintenance review, and suspended all training flights following the crash, as per IDF protocols.
The AS565 Panther is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine aircraft used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. The IAF has been using it for over 25 years.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav told Tel Aviv-based 103FM Radio that there was no indication at this time that the crash was the result of a terrorist attack.
"We are investigating every possibility, but l don't think this was a terrorist attack, and that is the direction that will be found to be correct. There were a lot of reports yesterday, a lot of reports, many of them incorrect and premature," he said.
Although he said it was too early to rule out the possibility entirely, he said it was "highly unlikely" the crash had been caused by a cyberattack.
The investigation is currently focused on the possibility the crash was the result of a technical malfunction.
The inquest team formed by Norkin will include experts from a variety of fields who will oversee the process of recovering the aircraft's debris, particularly its engine, from the sea, to learn more information about the final moments that preceded the crash.
In addition, the team will examine records on the maintenance of the aircraft, including any periodic servicing, use of spare parts, as well as any irregular incidents that took place over the past 20 years in which the helicopter has been in service.
Air Force officials said Tuesday that the crash appeared to have been caused by a technical failure. Investigative efforts have focused on the engine as an explosion was heard by those onshore prior to the crash. One possibility investigators are looking into is whether an explosion in the engine caused the pilots to lose control of the helicopter.
Following the incident, President Isaac Herzog tweeted: "The national and individual heart is hurting this morning over the IDF helicopter crash tragedy last night. I send my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the families of Lt. Col. Erez Sachyani and Maj. Chen Fogel and wish a speedy recovery to the injured crew member. I want to thank all of the forces for their joint efforts in the mission to locate and rescue the missing overnight."
On Twitter, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, "This is a very sad night. In the name of Israel's citizens, I ask to send deep, heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the helicopter accident and a speedy recovery to the wounded naval officer. The naval officers who were killed in the accident were some of the best of our boys. The people of Israel won't forget their contribution, day and night, to the security of the state. May their memory be blessed."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted that he sends his "deep, heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the helicopter accident and a speedy recovery to the wounded. I spoke to the IDF Chief of Staff [Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi], and I promise the IDF will investigate the incident and learn the necessary lessons. I want to thank the rescue forces who acted quickly and under difficult conditions to locate the helicopter crew."
Religious Zionism Party leader Bezalel Smotrich tweeted, "The hearts of all the people of Israel are with the families of the two pilots who lost their loved one tonight and in prayer for the recovery of the helicopter's wounded naval officer. A warm embrace to the entire air force and IDF family."
He said the IAF "must investigate the crash in full and draw the necessary conclusions."
On Twitter, Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri wrote: "The helicopter crash tonight, a tragic and painful event. I send my sincere condolences to the families of the killed, and wish a complete and speedy recovery to the wounded."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
