Motor Malfunction Triggered Fatal IAF Chopper Crash Over Mediterranean, Initial Probe Suggests

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has grounded its fleet of AS565 Panther helicopters after two of three crew members operating one of the aircraft were killed in a crash just off the coast of Haifa on Monday. It is now thought that the chopper, termed an 'Ataleft' (bat) by the IAF, experienced a critical motor malfunction prior to the incident.