Israeli Military Downs Civilian Plane

J E R U S A L E M, May 24, 2001 -- A Lebanese civilian plane was shot down by the Israeli military, the Israeli army said.

The pilot's body was recovered and identified as 21-year-old Stephan Nicolian, an Armenian-Lebanese national.

It is believed he was simply on a joyride, taking a plane from his Lebanon-based flight school.

Ignored Warning Shot

The small plane, which took off from Beirut, apparently ignored warnings — including a warning shot — after crossing into Israeli airspace, the army said.

It was shot by an air force helicopter, and crashed on a beach near Haifa, north of Tel Aviv.

It is believed that the pilot was the only occupant of the aircraft.

Tense Anniversary

As today marks the anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, the military had been on an especially tense alert. The Israeli military has feared that Hezbollah guerillas would use today's anniversary to launch attacks on Israel.

The motives of the pilot of the small plane are not known.