Names of two Israelis dead in aircraft crash in Jerusalem Hills revealed

The light aircraft lost contact with ground control while flying over the Jerusalem Hills area on Saturday.

 A Border Police officer looks on at the remains of a crashed aircraft in Jerusalem Hills on February 26, 2022 (photo credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESUCE SERVICES)
A Border Police officer looks on at the remains of a crashed aircraft in Jerusalem Hills on February 26, 2022
(photo credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESUCE SERVICES)

Two Israelis were killed on Saturday when their light aircraft crashed in the Jerusalem Hills, with a fire breaking out in an open field as a result of the crash.

The two are Rahamim Marziano, 61, and Amit Avrutzky, 31, Hebrew media reported on Sunday morning. Marziano was piloting the aircraft.

The aircraft, which took off earlier in the day from Rishon Lezion, lost contact with ground control while flying over the Jerusalem Hills.

Following a search operation by Israel Police forces, remains of the crashed aircraft were found in Begin Park.

The two Israelis, in their 30s and 60s respectively, were found dead by the police officers.

Israel Fire and Rescue Services crews are on their way to the scene of the crash to aid with efforts to extinguish the flames.

A Cessna 172 aircraft (illustrative). (credit: Wikimedia Commons)
A Cessna 172 aircraft (illustrative). (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

An investigation into the incident was launched by the Israel Airports Authority, which is working closely with Israel Police on the matter.