In brief
An official investigation into a 2021 collision between two South Korean F-15K fighter jets has concluded that the accident occurred because the pilots were engaged in photo-taking activities mid-flight. The collision resulted in damage costing over $596,000 and has led to discussions about safety practices in military aviation.
South Korean authorities have determined that two fighter jets collided mid-air in 2021 due to the pilots taking pictures and videos during flight.
The incident occurred while on a mission in the central city of Daegu, as reported by Seoul's Board of Audit and Inspection.
Fortunately, both pilots survived the incident without injuries, but the collision resulted in substantial damage that cost the military about 880 million won ($596,000; £440,500) in repairs.
One of the pilots, who has since left the military, was fined 88 million won for his role in the accident, which was initiated by his desire to document his final flight with his military unit.
The audit report reveals that taking photos of significant flights was a common practice among pilots at the time. The pilot had communicated his intent to do so during a briefing before the flight.
While flying as a wingman, he utilized his personal mobile phone to capture images. Observing this, the pilot in the lead aircraft asked a colleague to video the wingman. In an effort to get better footage, the wingman pilot performed a sudden maneuver, positioning his jet closer for the shot.
In response, the lead aircraft pilot attempted to descend quickly to avoid a collision, but the two F-15K jets ultimately collided, damaging the lead aircraft's left wing and the wingman aircraft's tail stabilizer.
Soon after, the South Korean air force suspended the wingman pilot, who later transitioned to a commercial airline job.
The military sought to impose a fine of 880 million won on him for the repair costs, which led to an investigation after he appealed the fine.
Ultimately, the audit board ruled that the pilot should only be responsible for a fraction of the costs, stating that the air force also bore some responsibility for not regulating pilots' personal use of cameras adequately.
Additionally, the pilot’s previously good track record and his effective management of a safe return to base after the collision were factors in this decision. The report did not specify any actions taken against the other pilots involved in the incident.
