There was drama in the skies above Israel earlier in the week as reports filtered through of an F-15 fighter jet that lost its canopy at 30,000 feet – causing the crew to fight freezing temperatures and buffeting winds to bring the aircraft down safely.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released an audio recording of the incident, in which the airmen can be heard shouting to each other over the roaring engine and wind noise. According to a report on i24News, a military statement claimed that the crew had to contend with temperatures of -45 degrees Celsius (-49 degrees Fahrenheit).
“Are you all right,” the navigator asks the pilot, identified in the statement as “captain Y”.
“Yes I’m fine,” he replies.
“We are without a canopy, proceeding for landing at the nearest base,” the pilot said over the radio in a calm voice.
He then notified controllers that he was heading to Nevatim air base in southern Israel.
The pilots succeeded in safely bringing the F-15 into land. Israel’s Air Force Chief of Staff, Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin immediately suspended training flights in F-15’s pending an investigation.
On landing, the crew was given a thorough medical examination, but were found to be in good condition, despite the incident.
