On May 1, 1983, the skies over Israel’s Negev Desert became the stage for one of aviation’s most incredible survival stories. During a routine air combat training mission, Israeli Air Force pilot Zivi Nedivi’s F-15 collided with an A-4 Skyhawk, resulting in the F-15 losing its entire right wing-yet Nedivi managed to land the crippled jet safely, only discovering the extent of the damage after stepping out of the cockpit.
The Collision: Disaster in the Skies
The incident unfolded during a dissimilar air combat training exercise. Nedivi’s F-15D “Baz 957,” with navigator Yehoar Gal in the back seat, was engaged in a simulated dogfight when it collided with an A-4 Skyhawk. The Skyhawk disintegrated, forcing its pilot to eject, while Nedivi’s F-15 lost its right wing almost entirely-sheared off just two feet from the root.
Initially, Nedivi and Gal didn’t realize the full extent of the damage. Fuel was leaking and vaporizing so rapidly at the wing root that it obscured their view, and the F-15 began rolling uncontrollably. Acting quickly, Nedivi engaged the afterburners, using the jet’s raw engine thrust and the lift generated by the aircraft’s wide fuselage, stabilators, and remaining wing to regain control.
The Impossible Landing
With the crippled jet barely flyable, Nedivi diverted to Ramon Airbase. To keep enough lift, he had to approach and land at nearly double the normal speed-close to 300 mph. The F-15’s tailhook, meant to help stop the jet, was ripped off on landing. Nedivi brought the aircraft to a halt just 20 feet from the end of the runway, a testament to both his skill and the F-15’s robust design.
It was only after opening the canopy and preparing to exit that Nedivi saw the shocking truth: the entire right wing was gone. “I probably would have ejected if I knew what had happened,” he later admitted. Above a certain speed, the F-15 essentially acted “like a rocket,” relying on its powerful engines and lifting-body design to stay airborne.
Engineering Marvel: Why the F-15 Survived
Amazed by the feat, even the F-15’s manufacturer, McDonnell Douglas, initially thought the story was a mistake or a taxiing accident. Only after inspecting the aircraft did they realize that the F-15’s wide fuselage and large horizontal surfaces could generate enough lift to compensate for the missing wing-at high speeds, the jet could indeed fly, albeit barely.
What Happened Next?
The F-15, nicknamed “Markia Schakim” (Sky Blazer), was transported to a maintenance facility, fitted with a new wing, and returned to service. Remarkably, it later scored another air-to-air victory against a Syrian MiG-23, cementing its place in Israeli Air Force legend.
Fun Facts and Trivia
- Surprise Discovery: Nedivi only realized the wing was missing after landing and opening the canopy.
- High-Speed Miracle: The F-15 landed at nearly 300 mph-almost twice its usual landing speed-to maintain lift.
- Engineering Feat: The F-15’s design allowed it to fly with just one wing, something virtually no other fighter jet could manage.
- Back in Action: After repairs, the same F-15 returned to combat and scored another aerial kill.
- Museum Piece: Today, Baz 957 is preserved in an Israeli museum as a testament to both pilot skill and aircraft engineering.
Conclusion
Zivi Nedivi’s one-winged landing remains one of the most extraordinary episodes in aviation history-a perfect blend of pilot expertise, quick thinking, and the F-15’s over-engineered design. It’s a story that continues to inspire pilots and engineers worldwide, proving that sometimes, the impossible really can happen in the skies.
