The Israel Air Force has completed the probe into the fatal crash of an apache combat helicopter that killed the pilot, Major (reserves) David Zohar 43, from Haifa, and leaving his co-pilot seriously injured.

Following the crash in August, in line with standard operating procedure, all apache choppers were grounded. Revised protocol for steering column maintenance has been devised to prevent additional cases in the future.

In this case, it is reported the chopper’s steering column disengaged from the joystick about 45 minutes into the flight, leading to the fatal crash. With the cause of the malfunction determined, the order grounding the squadron was lifted and the apaches will return to regular training and operational flights in the coming days.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)