IAF F-16 (illustrative only)
IAF F-16 (illustrative only)Israel news photo: Flash 90

A refueling drill involving an F-16 fighter jet and an Air Force Boeing 707 tanker ran into trouble Friday.

An initial investigation revealed that the refueling pipe hit the F-16's cockpit, damaging the head-up display (HUD) and forcing both aircraft to perform emergency landings at the Ovda air force base, near Eilat.

No injuries were reported.

IAF Commander Major-General Amir Eshel ordered the grounding of dozens of F-16 jets over a possible malfunction threatening their engines, Yediot Aharonot reported Friday.

Eshel has ordered a further, thorough inquiry into the refueling incident.