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Selfie Fiasco: Fighter Jets Collide Over South Korea
23 Apr
Summary
- Two F-15K jets collided mid-air in December 2021.
- Pilots attempted selfies and filming, leading to unplanned maneuvers.
- One pilot must repay $60,000 of the $600,000 damage.
South Korea's air force issued a public apology for a mid-air collision involving two F-15K fighter jets that occurred in December 2021. The apology came after a state audit revealed that the accident was caused by pilots attempting to film during the flight.
According to the Board of Audit and Inspection, a wingman pilot engaged in unauthorized maneuvers to improve camera angles for a final flight recording. This action, combined with filming from the lead jet, led to the two aircraft colliding. The incident caused approximately $600,000 in damage, though no personnel were injured.
In response to the findings, the air force has suspended one pilot and taken disciplinary action. This pilot has also been ordered to repay about a tenth of the repair costs, amounting to $60,000. The military has committed to enhancing its flight safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
