1996 Eurocopter HH-65 Israeli Navy helicopter crash

On September 16, 1996, a Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin helicopter (tail number 905) crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) off the coast of Nahariya, Israel. The crash occurred during a joint night training exercise with two Israeli Navy missile ships. All three crew members aboard were killed, marking the first fatalities in the history of Squadron 193, which operated the helicopter. [1]

Background

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin, a twin-engine naval helicopter used for maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue, and patrol missions. It was part of Squadron 193, a unit jointly operated by the Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy. The helicopter, designated number 905, was fully operational and had passed all standard maintenance checks prior to the mission.[2]

The HH-65 Dolphin was typically deployed from missile ships or coastal airbases to provide aerial support during naval operations.

Crew

All three personnel aboard the helicopter were killed:

  • Lt. Col. Ben-Zion (Benzi) Bachar, squadron commander and pilot
  • Captain Shahak Sela, co-pilot
  • Captain Eran Garbia, Navy officer (PO)

The crash was the first fatal incident in the operational history of Squadron 193, deeply affecting both the squadron and the broader Israeli Air Force community.[3]

Training exercise and crash

The helicopter was engaged in a night training exercise with two missile ships along the northern Israeli coastline. While flying east at low speed and low altitude.

Despite immediate search and rescue operations, only Captain Sela's body was recovered that night. Lt. Col. Bachar's remains were found four months later, in January 1997. Captain Garbia's body was never recovered, despite extensive searches.[2]

Investigation

While the exact cause of the crash was not definitively established due to the lack of flight data recording systems, the incident triggered a comprehensive investigation by the Israeli Air Force and Navy. Mechanical failure was considered possible, but operational risks related to low-altitude night flying were also highlighted.

The inquiry led to a temporary suspension of all training flights involving Squadron 193 and a review of standard operating procedures for night missions over water.[2] [1]

Aftermath

The crash was a traumatic event for the Israeli defense establishment and especially for Squadron 193. It led to:

  • Temporary grounding of similar helicopter operations during night exercises
  • Revised training procedures, including enhanced simulator-based preparation and stricter altitude safety protocols
  • The construction of a memorial at the Air Force base to honor the three fallen servicemen
  • Ongoing annual commemorations recognizing the loss and sacrifice of the crew

The incident remains one of the most difficult chapters in the squadron’s history and is remembered as a turning point in the evolution of joint naval-aviation operations in Israel. [3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b עציון, אודי (2022-01-04). "השלישי בתולדותיה: האסונות הקודמים בטייסת 193". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  2. ^ a b c "N12 - "העטלף" שהתרסק: משמש את צה"ל לסיורים ימיים כבר יותר..." N12. 2022-01-03. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  3. ^ a b "מסוק "דולפין" - בים התיכון". www.idf.il. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
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