DAEGU, South Korea – Web Desk: South Korea’s Air Force has issued a public apology after a safety audit revealed that a mid-air collision involving two F-15 fighter jets in 2021 was caused by pilot distraction during flight.
According to an official report, the incident occurred during a training mission near Daegu in December 2021, when both aircraft collided mid-air. No fatalities were reported, but one jet sustained significant damage estimated at around $600,000.
The investigation found that the pilots were engaged in taking selfies and recording video during the flight, leading to a loss of situational awareness.
Authorities said one pilot, who was reportedly on his final flight with the unit, performed an unauthorized maneuver to capture better footage, while the other aircraft was also recording at the time.
As the jets approached each other, an evasive attempt was made, but the tail of one aircraft struck the wing of the other, resulting in the collision.
The report identified the wingman pilot as primarily responsible for the incident. He was later suspended from flight duties and has since left the military. He was also ordered to contribute to repair costs.
The South Korean Air Force criticized gaps in supervision regarding in-flight video recording and said stricter safety protocols will now be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
