Cobras to Fly Again

The "Tzefa" (Cobra) helicopter Photo: IDF Spokesperson

19/4/2013 IsraelDefense

IAF Commander renews flights, a month after a fatal accident. According to the investigation, the cause of the crash was a fracture in one of the tail rotor's blades

The Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, instructed that the Tzefa (Cobra) helicopter layout will return to activity in the coming days, after being grounded in the wake of the accident that occurred on March 12, 2013, which saw the deaths of two air crew members.

The IDF Spokesperson announced on Friday morning that the team investigating the circumstances of the accident presented its intermediate findings and conclusions to the IAF commander, which indicate that the crash of the helicopter occurred due to a fracture in one of the tail rotor's blades.

The investigation further revealed that the accident was not caused due to human error on the part of the pilots, nor due to the age of the helicopter. The military investigation will continue until its conclusion, and it includes an in-depth investigation by the IAF, in cooperation with the helicopter manufacturer Bell.

In light of the operational importance of the helicopter layout, a plan was formulated at the IAF for returning the helicopters to flight, which includes technical inspections for all of the helicopters and changes to the maintenance plan.

The IAF commander accepted the conclusions of the team, which determined that based on the intermediate findings and conclusions and the activities that were defined in order to prevent and reduce risks, it is possible for the helicopters to resume operational activity in a safe manner.