On a sweltering day over Israel’s Negev Desert, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-15D Eagle, piloted by Captain Zivi Nedivi, collided mid-air with an A-4 Skyhawk during a training mission.

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The crash obliterated the Skyhawk, forcing its pilot to eject while stripping the F-15 of its right wing.

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In an astonishing turn of events, Nedivi piloted the damaged jet back to Ramon Airbase and landed it safely, defying the limits of aviation science and etching a remarkable tale into military history.

Collision In The Desert Sky

The incident happened on May 1, 1983, during a routine exercise focused on aerial combat practice. Nedivi, stationed in the front cockpit of the two-seat F-15D, was joined by an experienced instructor, Yehoar Gal, in the rear.

The mission, an “airfield defense” exercise, included several aircraft, among them an A-4N Skyhawk, a compact jet used for training and support tasks. The F-15s were playing the role of defenders, and the A-4s were serving as aggressors.

Mid-flight, the F-15, and Skyhawk collided—likely due to a misjudged maneuver—sending the Skyhawk into a fatal breakup. Its pilot parachuted to the desert below as fragments scattered across the landscape.

The impact inside the F-15 was immediate and severe. Alarms sounded, and the jet shook violently, its controls responding unevenly.

F-15D Sky Blazer (Via X)

Nedivi, unaware that the right wing had been completely severed, faced a critical decision. Given the damage, ejecting would have been the expected choice, but with the instructor’s calm direction, he opted to stay with the aircraft.

Pushing the twin Pratt & Whitney F100 engines to full power, he accelerated to roughly 260 knots—double the standard landing speed—to prevent the jet from plummeting.

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A Precarious Journey Back

The return to Ramon Airbase demanded intense focus. Without its right wing, the F-15 struggled to maintain balance, its movements unpredictable.

Nedivi, guided by the instructor’s steady input, kept the aircraft on course across the sprawling Negev. As the runway came into view, he prepared for a high-speed landing. The jet hit the tarmac with force, skidding until Nedivi activated the arresting hook, which caught a cable and halted the aircraft abruptly.

Stepping onto the runway, Nedivi and his instructor confronted the shocking sight: the right wing was gone, leaving a rough, torn edge along the fuselage. Ground crews, arriving moments later, shared their amazement. The question lingered: how did this jet, stripped of a vital component, manage to fly and land?

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Roots Of A Rugged Fighter

The F-15’s survival owes much to its robust design, which was born from a pressing need in the late 1960s. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force found its F-4 Phantom II outmatched by nimble Soviet MiG fighters, sparking a demand for a superior aircraft.

McDonnell Douglas answered with the F-15 Eagle, which first took flight on July 27, 1972. Powered by two F100 engines, each delivering over 23,000 pounds of thrust, the jet could exceed Mach 2.5 and climb beyond 65,000 feet.

Its frame, a mix of aluminum, titanium, and steel, was built to endure significant stress. A wide fuselage supported stability and housed advanced radar and weapon systems.

The F-15 is also a high-wing aircraft. Entering service in 1976, it became a cornerstone of U.S. air power. Israel acquired its first units that same year, recognizing its potential in a volatile region.

By 1983, the IAF had shown the jet’s capabilities in the 1982 Lebanon War, downing 33 Syrian aircraft without a single loss. This particular aircraft, known as “Baz” (or Falcon) 957, had scored four kills against MiGs a year prior.

The Israeli Air Force clearly still values the F-15. Despite its age, the platform’s proven track record and ongoing upgrades have solidified its place as a critical asset. In November 2024, Israel finalized a US$5.2 billion deal with Boeing to acquire 25 new F-15EX aircraft, the most advanced variant of the Eagle.

The Man at the Helm

Captain Zivi Nedivi brought a wealth of expertise to the cockpit. Born in Israel in the late 1950s, he grew up in a country where air defense was a constant priority.

Joining the IAF as a young officer, he advanced through a demanding training program, starting with basic aircraft before mastering fighters like the F-15.

By the early 1980s, he had built a solid record, with extensive flight hours and operational missions under his belt.

The Israeli Air Force F-15D Baz #957 was involved in the incident, seen here in 2011- Wikipedia.

Known for his composed approach and technical skill, Nedivi was well-suited for the training role he held that day. His preparation—years of simulator work and real-world flights—equipped him to handle the unexpected, a capability that proved decisive in the crisis.

Nedivi, though technically the student, was senior in rank to his instructor and opted not to eject as he regained some degree of control, still unaware of the full extent of the damage.

 “I probably would have ejected if I knew what had happened,” Nedivi reflected later.

According to Nedivi’s recollection, the F-15D likely flew approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) after losing its wing.

Engineering Marvel

Engineers later analyzed how the F-15 stayed aloft. The wide, flat fuselage, designed for maneuverability and equipment capacity, provided enough lift to partially compensate for the lost wing, essentially functioning as a lifting body. The center of the lift was also changed dramatically but still allowed for a controlled flight.

The powerful engines sustained the high speed needed to avoid a stall while the airframe’s durability absorbed the unusual strain. Although constructed to withstand combat damage, the F-15 had not been tested for such an extreme condition.

McDonnell Douglas engineers noted that this outcome exceeded their expectations, revealing the jet’s remarkable resilience.

The approximate weight of the F-15 is 45,000 pounds, showing the amount of lift needed to keep it airborne. “I don’t think any other aircraft could have taken that amount of damage or had that portion of its flight surfaces removed and continue to bring us home safely,” Nedivi said.

After the landing, the F-15 was swiftly repaired at Ramon Airbase. Within eight weeks, technicians replaced the missing wing and restored the aircraft’s systems, returning it to service within the IAF fleet.

This quick recovery showed Israel’s emphasis on operational readiness and the F-15’s practical design, which allowed for efficient maintenance.

The IAF logged the incident as an anomaly, opting not to revise its training practices based on the event. McDonnell Douglas cited the occurrence in technical reviews, emphasizing the jet’s structural strength, though it did not alter the aircraft’s design.

The F-15 continued to evolve, with later versions incorporating updated electronics and armaments, maintaining its role in modern air forces.

Nedivi and the IAF’s Response

For Nedivi, the incident became a notable chapter in his career, though he resumed flying without public fanfare. The IAF, focused on mission continuity, rarely highlights individual achievements, and this was no exception.

The instructor received quiet recognition for his role in maintaining control, with instructions relating to airspeed and engine power. The collision was attributed to an error during the exercise, with no repercussions for those involved.

The event rippled through aviation circles, sparking interest among military professionals. The F-15 remained a vital asset for Israel, while the U.S. advanced the jet with models like the F-15EX, still operational as of March 2025.

The F-15’s creation was driven by Cold War dynamics, particularly the Soviet MiG-25’s emergence as a high-speed threat. Its powerful engines and sturdy structure were engineered to meet such challenges, providing the foundation for Nedivi’s survival.

The wide fuselage, a practical choice for stability, unexpectedly played a critical role, offering lift when conventional flight was impossible.

Nedivi’s success hinged on his thorough preparation.

The IAF’s training—rigorous simulator sessions and extensive flight experience—readied him for emergencies. His ability to adapt, bolstered by the instructor’s guidance, ensured the jet’s safe return, highlighting the value of disciplined preparation. 

Penned By: Mohd. Asif Khan, ET Desk

Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com

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Sumit Ahlawat

Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from The University of Sheffield, UK. He can be reached at ahlawat.sumit85 (at) gmail.com

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The Defense Ministry will oversee Gaza transfers, with a leader to be appointed soon. Critics warn the program could lead to forced displacement, as no third country has agreed to take in refugees.

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As part of the first phase of the plan to relocate Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza for third countries, which appeared to take shape last Wednesday, 70 Gazans with foreign citizenship or family ties abroad departed from southern Israel’s Ramon Airport on a Romanian military plane bound for Europe.

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Israeli authorities said they assisted in the evacuation as part of their emigration policy. The group’s departure coincided with renewed military operations in Gaza and mounting international pressure to restore humanitarian aid to the territory.

“We are working with all means to implement the US president’s vision, and we will allow any Gaza resident who wants to move to a third state to do so,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said, referencing a plan developed during Donald Trump’s presidency to promote economic development in the region through population relocation.

Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the establishment of the directorate tasked with assisting Palestinians in Gaza who wish to relocate to third countries, part of a broader emigration initiative advanced by Katz in coordination with the United States.

Over the weekend, the government confirmed the creation of the Voluntary Emigration Bureau, which Katz said would facilitate the “safe and supervised” departure of Gazans in line with Israeli and international law. Palestinian

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The directorate, operating under the Defense Ministry, will coordinate with international organizations and manage logistics at designated crossings, as well as oversee infrastructure for land, sea, and air transfers.
A candidate to lead the office is expected to be appointed soon.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed an ambitious timeline for relocating up to 10,000 Gazans per day while insisting that budgetary constraints will not hinder the process.

Critics warn the program risks crossing into forced displacement, while no third country has yet publicly agreed to absorb large numbers of refugees.

During the same cabinet session, ministers approved the formal separation of 13 West Bank neighborhoods into independent settlements, escalating tensions over Israeli policy in occupied territories.

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An Israeli air strike on the southern city of Khan Younis in Gaza has killed top Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel, a Hamas official has told the BBC.

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Locals say the air strike killed both Bardaweel, regarded as Hamas’s highest-ranking political leader, and his wife. Israeli officials had no immediate comment.

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The total death toll in Gaza since the war began surpassed 50,000 on Sunday, its Hamas-run health authorities said, with least 30 people killed in Khan Yunis and Rafah so far on Sunday.

Israel resumed heavy strikes on Gaza earlier this week – in effect ending the first phase of a ceasefire that lasted almost two months. It blamed Hamas for rejecting a new US proposal to extend the truce.

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Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of abandoning the original deal – mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US. It envisaged the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the subsequent release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners – in addition to negotiations to end the war entirely and reconstruct Gaza.

In a statement on Sunday, Hamas said Bardaweel, 66, had been praying along with his wife when an Israeli missile struck their tent.

A father of eight, Bardaweel was one of Hamas’s most prominent political figures.

Born in Khan Younis refugee camp, he was known to be close to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and is considered part of the second generation of Hamas leadership, following the movement’s founders.

He headed the political wing of Hamas’s parliamentary bloc and was re-elected to the group’s political bureau in 2021.

Following the killing of Sinwar and Rawhi Mushtaha during the ongoing war, Bardaweel was regarded as Hamas’s highest-ranking political leader.

The air strike that killed Bardaweel was part of one of the most intense waves of aerial bombardment in southern Gaza since the collapse of the ceasefire agreement last Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society told the BBC that Israeli forces were surrounding several of the organisation’s ambulances as they attempted to reach an area hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah.

He added that several paramedics were wounded, and contact had been lost with one of the trapped teams, which has been besieged for weeks.

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents of the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah after the area was hit by heavy shelling and a limited ground assault.

The attack included tank fire from Israeli forces positioned along the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Egypt, and helicopters also took part in the assault.

Alaa al-Din Sabah, a resident of the neighbourhood, said in a voice message to the BBC: “Bullets are raining down on us like it’s pouring. A woman was shot and is bleeding. Ambulances couldn’t reach her.”

“I can see one of the paramedics lying on the ground, screaming.”

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.

More than 49,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, the Hamas-run health ministry says, and there is large-scale destruction to homes and infrastructure in the Strip.

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