Pilot Veer Israeli F-16I Sufa Into A Ditch During Taxi after Loses Braking Action.
An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa belonging to the 119 Squadron, also known as “The Bat” Squadron, was damaged at Ramon air base, Israel, on Oct. 31.
F-16I Sufa was reportedly returning from a training mission. However, based on the only available image, the aircraft seems to carry at least alive GBU-38 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition).
תקרית בטיחות אמש בבסיס חיל האוויר בדרום: מטוס קרב סופה f16 חזר מגיחת אימון, ולאחר הנחיתה איבד את בלמיו בשל תקלה טכנית חמורה. הצוות הצליח להסיטו לשול, לתוך תעלה, ולמנוע בכך פגיעה בצוות הקרקע ובמטוס שהיה לפניו. נזק קל נגרם לחלקו הקדמי של המטוס. התקלה מטופלת והתחקור נמשך pic.twitter.com/i2xHAQHj4V
— יואב זיתון (@yoavzitun) November 1, 2018
According to the reports, the aircraft was taxiing after landing when the pilot lost braking action: the pilot deliberately forced the Sufa into a ditch in order to stop it. The emergency maneuver prevented the aircraft from harming ground crews. The aircrew managed to escape the aircraft safely.
The incident is being investigated; the extent of the damage suffered by the aircraft is unknown.
The F-16I Soufa (Storm) is a modified variant of the F-16D block 50 and 52 fighters and ground attack aircraft, with the avionics and weapons systems capability modified to meet the requirements of the Israeli Air Force.
Israel ordered 50 F-16I aircraft in 2001 and signed the agreement for an optional additional 52 aircraft in September 2001. The Israeli Air Force has selected the F16I in a two-seat configuration only.
