Israel Grounds Cobra Fleet Following Accident

[haamimhagolan]

Israel's fleet of Cobra attack helicopters has been grounded, pending the results of an investigation into a helicopter crash this past Wednesday, Sept 10, 2008:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221034882463&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The pilot of the helicopter that went down reported that he was attempting an emergency landing, just before it crashed. Both the pilot (Major Shai Danor) and navigator (Major Yuval Holtzman) were killed. The helicopter crashed seven miles outside of its home base at Ramat David, near Nazareth. Initial reports suggest that the helicopter experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure in mid-air.

Israel is believed to have had 45 Cobra helicopters remaining in active service, prior to Wednesday's crash. The first examples of the Cobra were delivered to Israel in the mid-1970s. They were complimented in recent years by a total of 45 Apache attack helicopters.

[haamimhagolan]

I have attached a photograph for the pilot, Maj Shai Danor. I was unable to find a similar photo for the navigator, Maj Yuval Holtzman.
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Both pilot and copilot were reservists with many hours of experience in the Cobra. Their squadron was heavily utilized during the 2006 Lebanon War, logging more flying hours than any other squadron during the campaign.

Holtzman was a 40-year old father of three from Matan. His oldest daughter was expected to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah in ten days.
Danor was a 35-year old father of five from Rosh Ha'ayin. He leaves behind an eight year old son, two daughters, ages five and three, and a pair of one year old twin sons. He and his wife, Lihi had just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221142453953&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1020468.html

[odie072]

RIP Warriors, prayers sent for the families.

odie072