F-15i fleet returning to service after malfunction grounded jets

The Israeli Air Force returns to service its fleet of F-15i fighter jets, known in Hebrew as the “Ra’am,” after one of the aircraft malfunctioned earlier this month, forcing it to make an emergency landing that damaged the plane.

In the incident, the right wheel of an F-15i failed to deploy, requiring the pilots to land the plane using only two of its three wheels. There were no injuries in the incident but the multi-million-dollar plane sustained damage.

IAF chief Amikam Norkin ordered an investigation into the incident and grounded the fleet of F-15s, both the newer Ra’am models and the older Baz models, until it was completed. A few days later, the Baz models were returned to service.

The probe, which was presented to Norkin today, found that the malfunction occurred in a piston in the right wheel well of the plane, preventing it from deploying properly.

With the completion of the probe, Norkin ordered the full return to service of the F-15i fleet, beginning Tuesday morning.