Three Israeli civilians — Yoav, Elad, and David — were killed when a training aircraft crashed in Maryland, according to Israeli media reports. The three had traveled to the United States to pursue flight training; no further details on the cause or circumstances of the crash have been released.
Israeli media reported Sunday that three Israeli civilians — identified only by their first names, Yoav, Elad, and David — were killed in a training flight crash in Maryland, United States. The three had traveled to the U.S. to pursue flight training, according to initial accounts. By 16:45 Jerusalem time Sunday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry had confirmed the victims' identities and stated that the aircraft had departed from New Jersey. U.S. authorities have since confirmed the crash and opened an investigation into the circumstances. No official statement has been issued by the FAA, the Israeli embassy, or the Foreign Ministry beyond the earlier confirmation. The identities of the flight instructor and the aircraft type have not been disclosed.
Earlier tonight, initial reports from Israel Hayom on Sunday indicated three Israelis had died in a U.S. plane crash, with no further details. Later that afternoon, Israeli media specified the crash had occurred in a wooded area in Maryland, less than 30 km from Washington, D.C., after the plane took off from Ocean City, New Jersey. The thread then evolved with the Foreign Ministry's official confirmation of the three deaths, followed by U.S. authorities' confirmation and launch of an investigation. The victims' names have been gradually released across Israeli media, with the first name basis consistent throughout.
The Zioneer reported on Sunday that the plane had been on a training flight from New Jersey; this has been corroborated by multiple Israeli and U.S. sources. The crash site, in a wooded area near Washington, D.C., has been under investigation by U.S. authorities since earlier Sunday (Jun 21).
The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed. The full identities of the flight instructor and the type of aircraft involved have not been released. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected in the coming hours.
7 developments
- DevelopingFive killed in five separate road accidents across northern and southern Israel
- Strong200 road fatalities in Israel since start of 2026, down 5% from same period last year
- DevelopingIsraeli drone strike hits jeep in western Gaza City; 4 reported killed
- StrongFootage emerges of vehicle strike that killed 3 in western Gaza City
Source and signal
- Internal intake