South Korean Air Force Jets Collide During Photo Session, Inquiry Reveals

A South Korean inquiry has revealed that two fighter jets collided in mid-air during a 2021 mission, attributed to pilots capturing photographs and footage. The incident occurred in the central city of Daegu while the jets were executing a flight mission, as disclosed by Seoul’s Board of Audit and Inspection.

Both pilots emerged unscathed, though the collision caused significant damage to the aircraft, with repair expenses totaling 880 million won ($596,000; £440,500). One of the pilots, who has since joined a commercial airline, was fined 88 million won after the event, as reported.

The pilot, who had left the military to pursue a career in aviation, was fined for taking photos to mark his final mission with the unit. The audit board noted that capturing images of notable flights was a common practice among pilots at the time, with the pilot having announced his intention during a pre-flight briefing.

While returning to their base, the wingman pilot began using his personal phone to take pictures. The lead pilot then instructed a fellow crew member to record a video of the wingman’s aircraft. This prompted the wingman to elevate his jet and perform a flip, positioning it for better visibility. The lead aircraft attempted to descend swiftly to avoid impact, but the two F-15Ks ultimately collided, damaging the lead’s left wing and the wingman’s tail stabilizer.

South Korea’s air force suspended the wingman pilot, who had since transitioned to a commercial airline. The force initially proposed a fine of 880 million won for the pilot. The pilot contended that the lead aircraft’s pilot had implicitly approved the maneuver, as he was aware of the filming.

“The air force should bear part of the blame for inadequate oversight of personal camera usage,” the audit board concluded.

The board also highlighted the wingman’s prior performance and his swift action to guide his plane to safety, which influenced the reduced fine. The report did not mention whether any action was taken against the other pilots involved in the incident.