Israeli Sufa lost - Curt Lewis

Israeli Combat Pilot Killed While Ejecting From Burning Jet

An Israeli fighter pilot is killed in a tragic crash while ejecting from his burning jet at the Ramon air base.

F-16 "Sufa" (Storm), the 119th Air Squadron

An Israeli Air Force pilot died Wednesday afternoon during a failed attempt to land a Sufa (F-16i) fighter jet at the Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev.

The pilot ejected from the burning aircraft, as did his navigator. The pilot was killed during the ejection from the aircraft.

The navigator ejected safely, although he sustained minor wounds and was evacuated to a medical center for care. He is listed in good condition; his name also has not been released, in accordance with standard Israeli Air Force policy.

The tragic incident occurred as the aircraft was returning from the afternoon's attack on Gaza in retaliation for rocket fire that targeted the Jewish town of Sderot in southern Israel earlier in the day.