BICOM

Chief of the Israel Air Force Maj.Gen. Amir Eshel ordered an investigation into a helicopter crash, which killed two experienced air force pilots early yesterday morning.

Radio contact was lost with the Cobra helicopter, which was returning to Palmachim airbase on a routine training flight at around 1.00 am local time. The wreckage of the aircraft was located at around 5.00 am near Kibbutz Revadim after ground and air searches had been launched. An Israeli army statement said, “The remains of the helicopter were discovered and no survivors were found.” The crash killed the two pilots on board, 49-year-old Lt.Col. Noam Ron and Maj.Erez Flexer, aged 31.

The Chief of Israel’s Air Force has grounded all Cobra helicopters pending the result of an investigation, which he has ordered into the circumstances of the crash. Cobra aircraft, which are manufactured in the United States, have been part of Israel’s Air Force since the 1970s. However, a similar incident involving a Cobra helicopter killed two Israeli pilots in September 2008.

The crash is covered prominently on the front-page of most Israeli dailies this morning, with Yediot Ahronot calling it a “double tragedy” while Israel Hayom refers to Ron and Flexer as “two of the best.” Ron leaves behind a wife and three children, while Flexer is survived by a wife and a four-month-old son. The funerals of both pilots will take place later today.