An Eitan-type (Heron TP) unmanned aircraft crashed near Moshav Yesodot in Israel on Sunday. No injuries were reported.
An initial investigation suggests that the aircraft exceeded its flight restrictions apparently due to a human error. The damage is currently estimated at nearly $ 5 million.
The crash occurred during a joint Air Force and Israel Aerospace Industries drill and the aircraft came apart in the air on its way back to the Tel Nof base. A joint team has been set up to investigate the circumstances behind the accident.
“The wing fell in the orchard and the fuselage fell in the military base,” the Nahal Sorek council head said. “A fire broke out because of the fuel in the aircraft but was extinguished shortly thereafter.” The scene was declared a closed military zone.
“I was sitting at the office and suddenly heard a blast,” says Hezi Eisen who lives nearby. “My initial thought was it was one of the crop dusters or a military aircraft from an IDF airfield.” Eisen added, “It was a pretty loud blast.”
The Eitan is scheduled to begin operational activity soon. It has been reported that it will also provide coverage for such countries as Sudan and Iran. It has also been reported that France is interested in acquiring several such aircraft from Israel’s Aerospace Industries.
Weighing five tons, Eitan is 14 meters long and has 26 meter-long wings. It is able to fly for 20 hours straight at a maximum speed of 143 Knots and reach a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet. Eitan is meant to be utilized in complex intelligence gathering missions. It has already been dubbed “the most advanced UAV in the world.”
Source: Y Net News