An official investigator left for Malawi today to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash of an Israel-mode civilian jet aircraft, killing the two Israeli test pilots who were demonstrating it to potential buyers in that southeast African country last Tuesday.
The victims were David Levine, 41, a former U.S. Marine pilot who saw action in Vietnam, and Eli Mor, 44, a Lt. Col. (res.) who formerly commanded a Skyhawk jet squadron in the Israel Air Force. Both were employed by Israel Aircraft industries, manufacturer of the Arava short-take-off-and-landing (STOL) aircraft involved in the crash.
All was negotiating with the Malawi authorities for the sale of four of the planes and a large crowd of local officials was watching the demonstration. Levine and Mor, who had flown the Arava to Malawi from Israel, crashed shortly after taking off. It is assumed that the wing struck the ground or some other object while the plane was being maneuvered.
The remains of the two flyers were flown to Israel today for burial. Levine is survived by his wife and two children, and Mor by his wife and four children.
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