David Zohar
David ZoharIDF Spokesperson

43-year-old Dudi (David) Zohar from Haifa, an Israeli Air Force pilot on reserve duty, was killed on Monday evening when an Apache aircraft crashed during a training accident in Mitzpeh Ramon in the Negev, it has been cleared for publication.

A second pilot suffered very serious injuries in the crash and was taken to the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva.

The crash occurred at 9:01 p.m. during a training flight. The two reported a technical malfunction and moments later crashed inside the base.

The uncle of the deceased pilot was also killed during his service in the Israel Air Force.

The commander of the IAF, Major General Amir Eshel, instructed that a team of experts headed by an officer with the rank of colonel be established to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Eshel also instructed that Apache helicopters be grounded until the conclusion of the investigation.

The families of the victims have been informed.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office noted that any rumors about the deaths or injuries of other commanders in this accident are incorrect.

Last October, IAF pilot was Ohad Cohen Nov was killed during a crash landing of an F-16 fighter jet in southern Israel.

The jet, which was landing at Ramon air force base in the Negev, caught fire when returning from operational activity in Gaza.