Aircraft abandonment during certification test flight near Beit She'an

No fatalities • Beit She'an, Israel • Flight

A crew of four successfully evacuated an aircraft during a certification test flight before the plane crashed in a field.

What happened

During a scheduled certification flight involving a new aircraft model, an unforeseen emergency prompted the crew to abandon the aircraft. The flight was being conducted as part of a formal testing program, marking the third flight performed for this specific type. The crew on board consisted of two pilots and two technicians.

While in transit, an unexpected event occurred that led all four occupants to initiate a bailout procedure. Following the evacuation, the aircraft entered a dive and impacted the ground in a field situated near Beit She'an. Although the aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact, there were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported among the crew members.

Findings

  • The flight was part of an ongoing certification process for the aircraft model.
  • An unexpected situation during the flight necessitated the immediate abandonment of the aircraft by all personnel.

Probable cause

An unspecified unexpected event during a certification test flight led the crew to bail out, resulting in the subsequent crash.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1970-01-21 IAI 1124 Westwind accident near Beit She'an, Israel?

A crew of four successfully evacuated an aircraft during a certification test flight before the plane crashed in a field.

Were there any fatalities in the 1970-01-21 IAI 1124 Westwind accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1970-01-21 involved a IAI 1124 Westwind, registration 4X-COJ, operated by Israel Aerospace Industries - IAI, at Beit She'an, Israel.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unspecified unexpected event during a certification test flight led the crew to bail out, resulting in the subsequent crash.

Loading the flight search…