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F-16I fighter jet makes emergency landing
September 2, 2009 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
An Israeli Air Force F-16I fighter jet on Wednesday made an emergency landing at the Ramon Base in the Negev after experiencing an unusual malfunction.
The IDF said that the pilot was flying above the base when he experienced a problem. He decided to switch off the engine and attempt an emergency landing without it.
The crew managed successfully to execute the emergency landing while emergency forces stood by at the base. The jet remained undamaged.
The F-16I, called "Sufa" in the IAF, is Israel's newest fighter jet. Early this year the IAF finished receiving 102 of them.
Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan decided Wednesday night to temporarily ground all F-16I fighter jets to carry out technical inspections. Military sources said the grounding would be lifted on Thursday morning.
This is the second time that the plane has been grounded. In March 2008, the IAF decided to ground all F-16Is after formaldehyde was found in the cockpit of one of the aircraft.
The decision to suspend training flights was made after a number of pilots complained of a bad smell coming from the cockpit of one of the planes. The IDF Medical Branch conducted tests and discovered that the smell was caused by a type of formaldehyde known to be carcinogenic in high concentration.
[Update 22 Sep 2009: The malfunction was apparently caused by human error in the maintenance of the engine.]
IDFAF F-16D block 52 #427 from Tayeset 253 is seen recovering from a Red Flag 09-4 mission at Nellis AFB on July 17th, 2009. [Photo by EOR]
The crew managed successfully to execute the emergency landing while emergency forces stood by at the base. The jet remained undamaged.
The F-16I, called "Sufa" in the IAF, is Israel's newest fighter jet. Early this year the IAF finished receiving 102 of them.
Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan decided Wednesday night to temporarily ground all F-16I fighter jets to carry out technical inspections. Military sources said the grounding would be lifted on Thursday morning.
This is the second time that the plane has been grounded. In March 2008, the IAF decided to ground all F-16Is after formaldehyde was found in the cockpit of one of the aircraft.
The decision to suspend training flights was made after a number of pilots complained of a bad smell coming from the cockpit of one of the planes. The IDF Medical Branch conducted tests and discovered that the smell was caused by a type of formaldehyde known to be carcinogenic in high concentration.
[Update 22 Sep 2009: The malfunction was apparently caused by human error in the maintenance of the engine.]
Via Michaw
Additional images:
An IDFAF F-16D block 52 from Ramon AB moves into refueling position on July 16th, 2009 over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 09-4. [USAF photo by MSgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald]
IDFAF F-16D block 52 #421 from 253 sqn is seen flying alongside block 52 #425 from 119 sqn heading out to the Nevada Test and Training Range during a training mission at Red Flag 09-4 at Nellis AFB on July 16th, 2009. [USAF photo by MSgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald]
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