An Israeli deputy squadron commander was killed on Monday night when the light transport plane he was flying crashed during landing. The pilot was the deputy commander of an Apache helicopter gunship squadron, Israel Radio reported. It added contact with the pilot was lost shortly before he was to land, and that he crashed at the side of the runway.
Witnesses reported seeing a ball of fire, but it is unclear if the crash was caused when the plane hit the ground, or whether a technical malfunction during the course of the flight led to the crash.
The light aircraft, a Trinidad propeller, is used for transportation as well as instructional purposes.
The Israeli air force has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Israel's air force has been plagued by a series of plane crashed - many of them in their fleet of F-16s - in the past few years. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
