English version by Sariel Stiller
While in service with the "Hornet" squadron, and having been on a detachment to Refidim air base, in the Sinai desert, the aircraft encountered an engine malfunction.
Upon examination, it was decided to replace the engine with a new one.
Nesher 14 takes off for an interception mission armed with Shafrir AA Missiles (Courtesy Amos Dor)
The engine was replaced by a technical crew which was brought from the squadron's home base.
Following a ground engine run, The pilot Shlomo Levi boarded the aircraft in order to perform a flight test which should have ended at Hatzor air base.
While airborne, And close to land at Hatzor AB, The Engine shut down.
The pilot unsuccessfully tried to restart the Engine, And when realizing that he would not be able to reach the runway, He announced an ejection and ejected at a height of 90 meters.
The aircraft fell to the ground near the cooperative settlement of Kfar Achim and partially burned.
A bell 205 Helicopter of the "Rolling Sword" squadron was scrambled from Tel Nof air base to rescues the pilot.
The helicopter reached the crash site and took the pilot to the Hatzor AB.
After medical checks, The pilot returned to the squadron and performed another training flight.
(Courtesy Raanan Weiss)
The Aircraft was extricated back to the base, Where a technical investigation had been launched.
The conclusions were FOD damage, A hexagonal fitting or a nut, Which had been left during the engine replacement.
The Aircraft was moved to the base salvage yard.
The actual reason for the failure was discovered after a "First Fighter" squadron Kfir accident.
The head of one of the Bolts in the aft of the moving cone of the air intake was sheared due to a fatigue crack, Which had resulted from an improper manufacturing process. The sheared Bolt head was drawn in to the engine, Causing its shut down.
(Courtesy Raanan Weiss)
Special thanks to Mr. Yossi Taub and Mr. Silvio Walt for data assistance.
Last update: Friday, May 15, 2009.
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