An Israeli Air Force pilot died Wednesday afternoon during a failed attempt to land a Sufa (F-16i) fighter jet at the Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev.
The pilot ejected from the burning aircraft, as did his navigator. The pilot was killed during the ejection from the aircraft.
The navigator ejected safely, although he sustained minor wounds and was evacuated to a medical center for care. He is listed in good condition; his name also has not been released, in accordance with standard Israeli Air Force policy.
The tragic incident occurred as the aircraft was returning from the afternoon’s attack on Gaza in retaliation for rocket fire that targeted the Jewish town of Sderot in southern Israel earlier in the day.
It is not clear what caused the aircraft to catch fire. The commander of the Air Force, Major-General Amir Eshel, has launched a top-ranking commission of inquiry into the disaster.
The pilot was identified as Major Ohad Cohen-Nov (34). He is survived by his pregnant wife and daughter.
