IAF jets nearly collide on runway after control tower error
Leaked footage shows planes narrowly maneuvering to prevent crash at Ramat David airbase; IAF says incident under investigation
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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
An Israeli Air Force fighter jet nearly crashed into another plane on a runway at an airbase on Saturday night, in a safety incident that is under investigation.
During the incident, an F-16 was taking off from the Ramat David Airbase in northern Israel, headed for a strike in Lebanon, when it identified another fighter jet crossing its path.
The two planes maneuvered out of the way moments before hitting each other, leaked footage shows.
In response to a query, the Israel Defense Forces said the near crash was the result of “the issuance of wrong takeoff approval by the air traffic control tower, while another plane was on the runway.”
“The crews responded quickly and professionally and a serious safety incident was avoided,” the IDF said, adding that the incident will be investigated further.
There were no injuries or damage.
An Israeli Air Force fighter jet almost crashed into another plane on the runway on Saturday night, in a safety incident that is under investigation.
During the incident, an F-16 was taking off from the Ramat David Airbase in northern Israel for a strike in Lebanon, when it… pic.twitter.com/I4UKYt3wpg
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 28, 2024
In September, two soldiers were killed and seven were injured when a helicopter crashed in south Gaza’s Rafah.
An ensuing probe found that bad visibility conditions caused the accident.
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