After last week’s test of Israel’s new Air Force 1, which left the plane on the runway after its brakes caught fire, another test was scheduled for Sunday morning. The test of the Boeing 767-300ER at Ben-Gurion ahead of the plane’s first official flight was a failure, as the brake’s malfunctioned.

The plane was ordered and has been in the works for the past two years by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), as the passenger plane had to be converted to meet the needs of becoming the official plane of the President and Prime Minister of Israel.

The Sunday morning test included several hours of flying above Israel, permitting the pilot to check and recheck the many systems of the plane.

According to IAI officials, the new plane will be able to reach the USA, China, Japan and even Brazil without making stopovers. The plane, which was in service for Australian Airlines for 20 years, was remodeled for its new mission, with the government approving NIS 729 million for the project.

The plane has been cleared for flight by Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority and now flight tests are being carried out. During last week’s check, smoke was seen from the left wheel, which was reportedly linked to the plane’s brakes.

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Israeli Air-Force-One on first take-off from Ben Gurion airport. @ynetalerts @CivMilAir @airlivenet #potn @avischarf pic.twitter.com/VsMlRos32w

— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) November 3, 2019

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)