Israeli Air Force Grounds Fighter Aircraft After Near-Collision

The Israel Air Force (IAF) has grounded its fighter jet squadrons after a midair near-collision last week, the latest in a series of accidents over the last year. Air Force Chief. Major General Amir Eshel forced the order after two aircraft almost collided on Thursday. According to investigators, the two planes exceeded the mandatory "safety envelope" during manoeuvres. An Israeli Air Force source said the near-miss was due to "pilot error". Instructors have been ordered by the Air Force to revive air safety procedures and policies among fighter squadron pilots during mock air combat before taking back to the skies on Monday. Earlier this year, the IAF suffered s deadly accident during an emergency landing by a fighter jet and refuelling plane when the fuel hose hit and cracked the war plane's canopy. The squadrons were grounded for two days last year after a fighter jet clipped a tree while landing at a northern airbase. The pilot was able to land the aircraft despite the damage, according to The Times of Israel news site.