The Israeli Air Force accused Sikorsky, an American company that manufactures the Yasur helicopters, of hiding information about “dangerous defects” that could have prevented the destruction of one of the platforms in a blaze last November, said a report leaked from Tel Aviv.
The report, handed on Friday to Israel Air Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin, reveals that investigation into the crash in cooperation with Sikorsky shows “a lack of relays, provided by the company, leading to rapid erosion.”
On November 26, a Yasur heavy transport helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in an open field in southern Israel following a technical failure in a gear connected to its left rotor, which caused a fire that destroyed the aircraft.
The findings of the investigation said the accident was triggered by a technical failure that caused the left engine relay to break, leading a fire to break out. It said although the defect was identified by the company, the information was not provided to the Israeli Air Force.
Also known as the CH-53 Sea Stallion, the Yasur helicopters were first used by Israel in 1969. They should remain in service until 2025.
Israeli CH-53s have seen some of the deadliest accidents involving this helicopter type with at least 13 crashes, prompting observers to ask the Israeli army to stop using this type of platform.
Accidents occurred in May 1977, leaving 54 dead, February 1997 in southern Lebanon, leaving 78 dead, and July 2010 in joint military exercises over Romania, leaving five dead.
