IDF Helicopter Crashes in West Bank Recovery Attempt

Israeli Black Hawk crashes during recovery in Gush Etzion; no injuries, probe initiated by Air Force chief.

Damaged IDF helicopter crashes in West Bank amid attempt to recover it; no injuries reported

The IDF says a Black Hawk helicopter crashed this morning during an attempt to recover it after it had made an emergency landing earlier this week due to severe weather.

According to the military, the helicopter had landed in an open area in the Gush Etzion area on Tuesday due to difficult weather conditions.

During the recovery operation today, the damaged aircraft became detached while being airlifted and crashed. No injuries were reported.

Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar has ordered the establishment of a military investigative committee to probe the incident.

Black Hawk helicopters, known in the IAF as the Yanshuf — Owl in Hebrew — are used for both routine transportation missions and to drop off and pick up troops during military operations.