22.04.2026 14:48
The cause of the accident in South Korea in 2021, where two fighter jets collided in mid-air, has been revealed. According to the audit report, the pilots were taking photos and videos during the flight. A dangerous maneuver performed to obtain better footage led to the collision. While the pilots survived, the aircraft sustained significant damage, and the responsible pilot was fined.
A striking detail has emerged regarding the 2021 mid-air collision of two fighter jets in South Korea. According to a report published by the South Korean Board of Audit and Inspection, the cause of the accident was pilots taking photos and videos during the flight.
WANTED TO IMMORTALIZE THE FINAL MISSION FLIGHT
The accident occurred during a flight mission conducted in the city of Daegu. According to the report, the wing pilot began taking photos with his personal mobile phone because he wanted to record his final flight with his unit as a memento. At that time, other pilots in the lead aircraft also joined in the filming to capture footage.
PERFORMED A DANGEROUS MANEUVER FOR BETTER FOOTAGE
The report stated that the wing pilot abruptly raised and turned his aircraft to get better footage, and this maneuver brought the two F-15K fighter jets dangerously close together. Although the lead aircraft tried to lose altitude to avoid a collision, the two jets collided in mid-air.
DAMAGE WORTH MILLIONS OF WON OCCURRED
In the accident, the pilots escaped unharmed, but the aircraft sustained significant damage. Following the collision, according to military sources, the repair cost reached 880 million won. The lead aircraft, which sustained damage to its left wing, and the other aircraft, which had its tail stabilizer damaged, were able to return to base.
PILOT WAS PENALIZED
Following the incident, the South Korean Air Force removed the wing pilot from duty. The pilot, who later left the military and moved to commercial aviation, was initially asked to cover all the damages. However, the audit board ruled that the pilot should pay only one-tenth of the total cost, i.e., 88 million won.
"THIS PRACTICE WAS WIDESPREAD" ASSESSMENT
The audit report emphasized that taking photos during important flights was a common practice among pilots at the time. The board noted that the Air Force's failure to adequately regulate pilots' use of personal cameras and phones also created responsibility.