Report: IAF helicopter flew into a cloud before crashing

Netanyahu: "We are choked up hearing how the heroes fell from on high." IDF investigates crash in Romania; chain of events is still unclear after six IAF servicemen are declared dead.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
idf romania 311 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
idf romania 311
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Details about the IAF helicopter crash in Romania have come to light following an investigation on Tuesday, Channel 2 reported.
Teams of forensic experts and members of the IDF rabbinate arrived at the scene of the crash, to collect and identify the remains of the IAF servicemen.
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According to Channel 2, two helicopters reportedly flew into a cloud. The captain of the first helicopter told IDF investigators that he directed the second to distance itself in order to avoid a collision. Subsequently, the second helicopter flew into a mountain.
IDF reportedly says the crash was caused by the inclement weather, and not a technical problem. Training exercises will continue in Romania, with the same helicopters.
It is still unclear what happened in the cockpit of the Yasour helicopter, which has a warning system in the helicopters that is meant to prevent crashing into mountains. IDF is still investigating the circumstances, specifically checking if the warning system worked and if did not work quickly enough.
Netanyahu: "The heroes fell from on high"
Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the helicopter disaster, speaking during a graduation ceremony at the National Security College on Tuesday.
"The disaster is large," he said. "This is a difficult day for all of Israel. We are choked up today hearing about how the heroes fell from on high, and how the vessels of war fell to the earth."
"The Jewish people tremble for the best of its sons that were on an important mission for IDF and the state," Netanyahu said.
Romanian authorities on Tuesday declared dead the entire crew of the IAF Yasour helicopter which crashed in Romania on Monday. Six IAF servicemen and one Romanian soldier were aboard the aircraft.
Early Tuesday, the IDF released the names of the six Israelis involved in the crash: Lt. Col (Res.) Avner Goldman, 48, from Modi'in; Lt. Col. Daniel Shipenbauer, 43, from Moshav Kidron; Maj. Yahel Keshet, 33, from Hatzerim; Maj. Lior Shai, 28, from Tel-Nof; Lt. Nir Lakrif, 25, from Tel- Nof; and Staff Sergeant Oren Cohen, 24, from Rehovot