An Israel Military Industries Kfir fighter plane crashed moments before takeoff during routine maneuvers in Colombia. The Israeli pilots on board escaped unharmed. The plane tore through an airport fence and stopped on a local road.

The incident occurred shortly before Israel was to hand over the plane to the Colombians. Colombian media reports state the flight was part of joint cooperation with the Southern American country and Israel. Colombia purchased four Kfir fighter planes and the incident occurred during a routine inspection of one of them.

A number of IAF pilots arrived in Columbia to train the local pilots. IAI officials announced an investigation is being launched.

While then Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin halted the Kfir program, the plane is sold to Colombia, Ecuador, Sri Lanker and the United Sates.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)