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F-15 Eagle: How Israel’s combat jet defied gravity, flying, llanding with just one wing after mid-air collision
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.
The crash obliterated the Skyhawk, forcing its pilot to eject while stripping the F-15 of its right wing.
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
