Many are questioning if the age of the Cobra helicopter that crashed and claimed the lives of two IAF pilots played a role in the fatal malfunction.

The Cobra’s came into service in 1975, and the IAF has continued maintaining and rebuilding them as they are an integral part of the air force’s team, used in the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead and most recently, in Operation Pillar of Defense.

The experts interviewed by the various local media stations insist the age is not relevant, but there is an undertone of uncertainty backed by the realization the choppers have been involved in four fatal crashes over the years, averaging one a decade.

The investigation is now focusing on what the experts feel is the cause, that the rear rotor of the chopper broke off at an altitude of about 300 meters, bring the chopper to a rapid decent, crashing to the grounds in seconds. While earlier in the day an electrical malfunction was believed the cause, after recovering most of the chopper’s parts it now appears attention is focused on the rear rotor.

One air force veteran investigator reports that the fact that the chopper did not burst into flames signals it “did not hit the ground with a great deal of energy”, and as a result, after the pieces are examined and reexamined, there is a high likelihood of knowing the cause with absolute certainty.

Not wishing to take any chances, Air Force Commander Major-General Amir Eshel has grounded the entire fleet of Cobra choppers pending the outcome of the investigation. The final determination may not be announced for a number of months.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)