Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during the 'Blue Sky 2010' exercise, which was designed to provide Israeli crews with experience in mountainous environments not available in Israel. The CH-53, tail number 046, was operated by the 118 Squadron ('Night Creatures') based at Tel Nof Airbase. It was flying at low altitude in the Carpathian Mountains when it encountered poor visibility and rugged terrain. Search and rescue efforts were severely hampered by the crash site's location on a steep cliffside and prevailing bad weather, requiring rescuers to be lowered by rope or hike through difficult paths. The flight recorder was recovered by Romanian troops around midnight between July 26 and 27, 2010, and was subsequently analyzed by Israeli investigators. The investigation, led by Brigadier-General Shlomo Mashiach, concluded that the crash was most likely due to human error while operating in these challenging conditions.
Final Conclusions
The investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error. The crew was operating in a high-risk environment characterized by low-altitude maneuvers in unfamiliar, high-altitude terrain with rapidly changing weather conditions. No evidence of mechanical failure was reported.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Yasur 2025 Upgrade
A life-extension program for the IAF CH-53 fleet that included the installation of over 20 new electronic systems and missile defense capabilities.
Flight Recorder
The 'black box' was recovered from the wreckage and transferred to Israeli authorities to determine the final moments of the flight.
Interesting Facts
- 01The victims included four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics, and one Romanian liaison officer.
- 02The wreckage was located in the Fundata-Zarnesti area of the Bucegi Mountains at an altitude exceeding 2,000 meters (6,560 feet).
- 03The aircraft involved was a Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion, known in Israel as the Yas'ur.
- 04The exercise involved practicing search-and-rescue missions and medical evacuations in difficult terrain.
- 05The Israeli Air Force had been upgrading its CH-53 fleet under the 'Yasur 2025' program to extend their service life.
- 06On July 18, 2010, another CH-53 in the same exercise made a successful emergency landing due to technical problems which were repaired prior to the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Flight Suspension
All IAF flight exercises were halted for 24 hours following the crash to conduct immediate safety inspections and reviews.
Training Protocol Review
The IAF reviewed its protocols for international training exercises in high-altitude terrain, though it eventually resumed training in Romania in 2011.