An Israeli Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk crashed Friday morning in Gush Etzion after rigging failed during a CH-53 sling-load recovery operation. The aircraft had been stuck in a field since Tuesday following an emergency landing forced by severe weather south of Jerusalem.
Video circulating on social media shows the Black Hawk separating from the CH-53 mid-flight and dropping to the ground near residential structures. The IDF confirmed no injuries among aircrew or civilians despite the proximity to homes.
Early Friday morning, an Israeli CH-53 “Sea Stallion” Heavy-Lift Transport Helicopter suffered a sling-load failure while transporting a UH-60 Black Hawk near Gush Etzion in the West Bank, causing the UH-60 to slam into the ground just to the south of Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/A0MfYM3Mho
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 16, 2026
WILD FOOTAGE 🔴
Fresh video shows a damaged Israeli Air Force UH 60 Black Hawk going down during transport near Gush Etzion (close to Jerusalem) pic.twitter.com/abJ4L3M398
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 16, 2026
The helicopter, designated Yanshuf in Israeli service, sustained significant damage in the fall and came to rest on its side in rocky terrain. The tail boom sheared off on impact. Given the extent of the damage, the aircraft is likely a total loss.
⚡️Aftermath https://t.co/MMQTnNJFrI pic.twitter.com/EA7ndQVLG7
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) January 16, 2026
IAF commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar ordered an investigation into the rigging failure. No hostile fire or outside interference is suspected, with the inquiry expected to focus on equipment and procedures.
Tuesday’s emergency landing occurred when the Yanshuf crew encountered fierce winds and rain that grounded flights across the area. The aircraft touched down safely in an open field but could not continue operations.
Israel acquired its Black Hawk fleet in 1994 through US military assistance. The twin-engine Sikorsky helicopters conduct transport, medevac, and special operations missions throughout Gaza and the West Bank.
The CH-53, called Yasur in Israeli service, is the standard platform for external lift recoveries. The US Marine Corps considers such operations critical for Pacific contingencies, with the newer CH-53K King Stallion variant capable of lifting loads exceeding 36,000 pounds.
