Last update - 00:00 31/05/2007
IAF jet crashes into sea near Ashkelon during training session
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
A fighter jet belonging to the Israel Air Force crashed off Ashkelon coast Thursday morning during a training exercise.
The pilot ejected from the plane when he realized that there was a problem, apparently the outbreak of a fire in the engine.
The plane fell into the sea, but the pilot ejected safely and was pulled from the water in good condition by an IAF search and rescue chopper unit.
The pilot was taken to Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer for a check-up, which is standard procedure in such incidents.
IAF commander Major General Eliezer Shkedy has ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident. The Israel Defense Forces said that an initial probe showed that the pilot had acted in accordance with guidelines for such an incident.
The plane, a Skyhawk, is a relatively old model and is used today for training new pilots.