A substance suspected of posing a cancer risk was located in the cockpit of an IAF F-16I ("Sufa") fighter jet, leading the IAF's commander, Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedi, to order the entire F-16I fleet to be temporarily grounded.

Shkedi ordered IDF medical experts to look into complaints from IAF airmen about odd smells in the Sufa's cockpit. The tests determined the presence of formaldehyde within the cockpit. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the international research bodies have cited evidence that exposure to the substance causes nasopharyngeal cancer.

Although the substance was only found in one plane, the IAF has grounded the whole fleet pending an in-depth examination of the problem. The planes' manufacturer, U.S. firm Lockheed-Martin, is participating in the inquiry.