A National Tragedy in 15 Minutes:
On the night of February 4th, 1997, 73 IDF combat soldiers were killed in a collision of two IAF transport helicopters during operational activity in Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. This disaster was the deadliest aviation accident in the history of the Israel Defense Forces, and one of the most lethal helicopter accidents in the world. In memory of the 73 soldiers who lost their lives defending the State of Israel, we’re sharing with you the story of that night, minute by minute:
04.02.21
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At 18:48, two Israeli Air Force CH-53 helicopters received permission to fly in the direction of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. They took off from the "Makhanyim" landing site, located close to the Israeli city of Rosh Pina. Aboard the helicopters were 73 combat soldiers from the Nahal Brigade and the Israeli Air Force. They took off just a few seconds apart and were supposed to enter Lebanese territory separately to transport solidrers to IDF posts.
At 18:50, both helicopters reported that they crossed the border from Israel into Lebanon. Shortly after, the two helicopters disappeared from the IAF radar and became unreachable.
The accident occured at 18:59, according to the findings of an investigation. During the collision, the rotor of one of the helicopters hit the tail of the other. As a result, the helicopters fell to the earth from a height of 600 feet. Both helicopters went up in flames, and the 73 soldiers inside were killed in moments.
A large fire broke out at the crash site, fueled by ammunition that the soldiers were carrying. At 19:03, a pilot from Arkia Israeli Airlines, whose plane was parked at an airport in Kiryat Shmona, saw explosions and contacted the IAF about helicopter activity in the area. The pilot was the first to identify the disaster. Rescue and evacuation forces from the entire Galilee region were immediately rushed to the scene, and the IDF entered a level of high alert.
Following the crash, the Israeli government declared a national day of mourning. The Minister of Defense decided to establish a commission of inquiry which published its findings: “the committee, despite its efforts, failed to reach clear and unequivocal conclusions as to the causes of the accident. The events of the final seconds leading up to the collision will remain a mystery… unfortunately, the truth has been taken with the victims of the disaster. What's more, they were most likely surprised and did not understand what had happened…”
To honor the 73 fallen soldiers, a memorial was erected near the site of the disaster. The tragic story is often told in IDF education and leadership classes, and the 73 soldiers are remembered as heroes who were killed while on duty.
May their memory be a blessing.
