Investigators probing the 1 Nissan 5773 fatal cobra chopper crash that claimed the lives of Lt.-Colonel Noam Ron z”l, 49, from Oranit, and Major Erez Flekser z”l, 31, from Haifa, is being blamed on a fracture in one of the tail rotor blades. The accident investigation team submitted its interim report to IAF Commander Major-General Amir Eshel. What has not yet been determined is the cause of the fracture, signaling it may have been a screw. Investigators have ruled out a bird or swarm of locusts as the cause.

As a result of the findings, Eshel is expected to give the green light to return the fleet of cobra choppers to operational status. The fleet was grounded following the fatal crash pending the outcome of the investigation. There were concerns that old age may have been a cause as the fleet has been in service since 1975.

Representatives of the families of the crew told the media they prefer to await the findings in the final report before releasing a statement.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)