The interim report findings of the expert team established following the 'Yanshuf' helicopter accident, in which two IDF soldiers were killed and 7 others injured, were presented today (Friday) to the Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar, and to the bereaved families and the injured. The report was presented by the head of the expert team, Lieutenant Colonel (res.) G.
According to the investigation, on the night of September 11, 2024, a "Yanshuf" helicopter from Squadron 123 ("Desert Birds") crashed during landing, as part of an operational flight to evacuate a seriously injured person from the Rafah area in the Gaza Strip. As a result of the crash, Advanced Staff Sergeant (res.) Daniel Alush and Advanced Staff Sergeant (res.) Tom Ish Shalom, fighters from Unit 669 (the Tactical Special Rescue Unit), were killed, and seven other crew members were injured. The helicopter also suffered heavy damage.
The report's findings show that at 00:21, the team was scrambled for takeoff to evacuate a seriously injured person from a landing pad in the Rafah area. The team began landing in a threatened area, for the urgent evacuation of a seriously injured person, under challenging visibility conditions of night, dust, and on a complex landing pad. These conditions likely led the helicopter crew to incorrect spatial orientation in the final landing process, resulting in the helicopter hitting the ground.
As the report indicates, the challenging conditions on a dark night combined with dust led to a loss of eye contact with the ground, which likely led to incorrect spatial orientation. Additionally, it emerges that the incident was not caused by enemy fire, and the influence of unusual technical components on the occurrence of the incident was ruled out. Also, the crew was found fit for the mission.
As mentioned, the Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar, received the investigation findings and the investigation team's recommendations for the continuation of the investigation process and immediate implementation of the lessons learned from the interim report, regarding improving the safety of evacuation landing pads and reducing challenging conditions. He also concluded that the Air Force is confident in the ability of the SAAR fighters and Unit 669 fighters to continue carrying out the valuable mission of evacuating the wounded, while taking risks professionally.
"This is a fatal operational accident in war, in which two fighters from Unit 669, Advanced Staff Sergeant (res.) Daniel Alush and Advanced Staff Sergeant (res.) Tom Ish Shalom, who came to rescue a wounded person whose condition required urgent evacuation from the Strip's territory, fell," Bar said. "These activities have saved hundreds of fighters during the war. The Air Force will quickly learn the lessons and continue to act with determination."
The IDF spokesperson stated that "the report's findings were presented to the bereaved families and the injured. The IDF shares the grief of the bereaved families and will continue to accompany them and the injured and their families."