The story of how Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi landed his F-15 with only one wing is stuff of not just legend, but of almost magic. That is, to civilians and onlookers not in deep with the military aircraft community. Because those familiar with the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, while not “ho hum” regarding what you’re about to see, aren’t THAT surprised. In the annals of combat flight, this fighter is special.

But enough with the gloating about the Strike Eagle — how in the hell did Nedivi get himself in this nasty and nearly fatal predicament, back in 1983?

He had a midair collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during training.

More from We Are The Mighty:

Nedivi’s Eagle went into a rapid roll by the crash and he told his navigator to prepare the eject.

Nedivi turned on his afterburners in an attempt to stabilize the jet. The move worked. After his aircraft stabilized, he decided to attempt to land at a base 10 miles away.

Because of the fuel coming from the damaged fuselage, neither he nor his wingman knew that the F-15 was missing a wing.

Reading about it is rad, but seeing the Israeli pilot’s story in living color is even better. Thankfully, it’s right here for you:

The A-4 pilot successfully ejected after the accident and he survived. The aircraft though? Not as sturdy as the F-15. After the aviator ditched, it “disintegrated”.

Thomas Friedman, the famed New York Times columnist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner once said this about the Strike Eagle’s role in American lore:

“McDonald’s cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas, the designer of the F-15.”

And by flourish he means “BILLIONS AND BILLIONS SERVED“. The most recent tally in 2013 put it at over 300 billion burgers served (if you do the simple math the current total is lingering at somewhere around 311 billion). Just in case you’re wondering.**

 

** — Honestly though, doesn’t it seem like it should be more?