The attack helicopter crashed at Kerem Ben Zimrah on Israeli territory near the Hizbullah stronghold of Bint Jbil, the south Lebanon village where fierce battles raged throughout the day. The helicopter was following another Apache in a formation on the way to support IDF forces fighting the enemy at Bint Jbil when it crashed.
The cause of the crash was not clear, according to IDF Operations Branch Head Major General Gadi Eisenkot who spoke with reporters at a news conference Monday evening.
Eisenkot said that initial investigation showed that the helicopter did not crash as a result of entanglement in an electricity cable, as was previously thought. He added that although there was no sign of anti-aircraft missile fire, it could not yet be ruled out.
According to a report on Channel 10 TV news, the rotor detached from the aircraft and then fell into the power lines.
Eisenkot said the pilots died immediately in the crash. Their names are not yet available for publication. The families have been notified.
The helicopter burst into flames upon impact. Paramedics, firefighters and IDF security personnel rushed to the scene. Israel Electric Company workers waited for security clearance before approaching. Electricity to the area was cut off for several hours.
Two Apaches collided in mid-air last week, also over Israeli territory. One pilot died in the crash, one was seriously injured and two others suffered moderate to lightl injuries.
Eisenkot said there was no connection between the two incidents, emphasizing that the first had occurred between two aircraft at night, and that Monday’s crash had occurred during the day and on the way to a military operation.
The IAF is investigating both incidents.
The cause of the crash was not clear, according to IDF Operations Branch Head Major General Gadi Eisenkot who spoke with reporters at a news conference Monday evening.
Eisenkot said that initial investigation showed that the helicopter did not crash as a result of entanglement in an electricity cable, as was previously thought. He added that although there was no sign of anti-aircraft missile fire, it could not yet be ruled out.
According to a report on Channel 10 TV news, the rotor detached from the aircraft and then fell into the power lines.
Eisenkot said the pilots died immediately in the crash. Their names are not yet available for publication. The families have been notified.
The helicopter burst into flames upon impact. Paramedics, firefighters and IDF security personnel rushed to the scene. Israel Electric Company workers waited for security clearance before approaching. Electricity to the area was cut off for several hours.
Two Apaches collided in mid-air last week, also over Israeli territory. One pilot died in the crash, one was seriously injured and two others suffered moderate to lightl injuries.
Eisenkot said there was no connection between the two incidents, emphasizing that the first had occurred between two aircraft at night, and that Monday’s crash had occurred during the day and on the way to a military operation.
The IAF is investigating both incidents.