A helicopter crashed in the sea off the coast of Haifa • Two IDF officers killed and one wounded • Watch a special documentary on the rescue efforts of the helicopter pilots

The crash of the "Bat" helicopter

Two IDF officers were killed and another officer was moderately injured, in the crash of a "Bat" type helicopter, off the coast of Haifa, near the Sea and Lakes Research Institute. The helicopter crashed and plunged into the water, during a training flight, on the night of Monday, 03/01/22. Around 21:45 p.m. The injured man was pulled from the water by the maritime police officers of the Coastal District, who were the first to arrive at the scene. The "Bat" helicopter is a helicopter that is in joint use by the Air Force and the Navy. The pilots perform various tasks in the maritime space, and sometimes also land on Navy warships.
The funerals of the dead will be held today. Improvement in the condition of the injured, who is hospitalized at Rambam Hospital in Haifa.

Publication of the names of the killed pilots

Update for 4/1/22 08:00 - by the IDF spokesperson

The Air Force pilots Lt. Col. Erez Zahini and the late Major Chen Fogel were killed last night as a result of a helicopter crash.

Lt. Col. Erez Shayini, late, deputy commander of the Ezer Weizman air force base in Ramat David, 38 years old, married and father of three from Camp Yehudit.
Major Chen Fogel, the late helicopter pilot and deputy squadron commander in the 'Defenders of the West' squadron (193), 27 years old from Haifa, Major Chen Fogel was promoted from the rank of captain to the rank of major after his death.

The initial report for 3/1/22 – 22:30 p.m

Watch the search for the pilots of a helicopter that fell into the sea in front of the Shekmouna boardwalk. The searches are focused on the area located about 300 meters in front of the Shekmona Promenade. Initial reports indicate that one crew member has been located and the rescue forces are currently searching for two additional crew members. Many forces are now in the water as well as on the beach on the boardwalk located between the Sea and Lakes Research Institute and the Allenby Interchange.

◄ Watch the searches from the air and the sea - live broadcast from the ground:

Documenting the rescue efforts of the helicopter pilots

(צילום: דובר צה"ל)

IDF spokesman's announcement

Two IDF officers were killed on the night of Monday, 03/01/22, as a result of a helicopter crash and another officer was moderately injured.

A "Bat" naval helicopter hit the water, as part of a training flight, near the shores of Haifa.
The helicopter had three crew members, a helicopter patrol officer and two pilots. The members of the helicopter crew were rescued by Yilatam fighters, Sheitat 13 fighters, 669 fighters and maritime police forces who gave the pilots first aid.
The patrol officer was moderately injured and was taken to the hospital. After resuscitation efforts, the two pilots were pronounced dead.

A message was sent to the families, the IDF shares in their grief and will continue to accompany them.
The commander of the Air Force, Major General Amikam Norkin, ordered the grounding of the "Bat" formation and also ordered the halting of training flights in the Air Force. In addition, the commander of the Air Force appointed an investigation team led by Major General T.

Report on the condition of the officer who was injured in the helicopter crash - Dr. Hani Bachos - Rambam

(Tuesday, 04/01/22 07:30, photo: Rambam)

Photos from the search for the crashed helicopter

(צילום: חי פה בשטח)