Pilots Were Taking Selfies Before Mid-Air Collision Involving 2 Fighter Jets: Report

In December 2021, an incident involving two South Korean fighter jets resulted in significant damage estimated at approximately $600,000, according to multiple sources. The South Korean air force recently issued an apology, revealing that the mid-air collision was linked to pilots taking selfies and filming each other during a training mission.

An investigation into the mishap has highlighted several critical issues, including the lack of strict regulations surrounding in-flight camera use. The collision took place near Daegu, where two F-15K jets were conducting routine training exercises. Thankfully, both aircraft managed to land safely, and reports indicate that no injuries occurred during the incident.

The apology from the South Korean air force was made public during a press briefing on 23 April, where an air force representative expressed regret for the concern this accident had caused to the public. The spokesperson elucidated that the incident had been scrutinised in detail in a report from the country’s Board of Audit and Inspection, which unearthed troubling details about the conduct of the flight crews involved.

Prior to the collision, one of the pilots—who held the rank of major—had indicated during a pre-flight briefing his intention to document what was to be his final flight with photographs. Consequently, while returning to base after the training mission, the wingman executed a sudden bank with his jet in response to attempts by two pilots in the lead aircraft to capture footage of him. This manoeuvre was undertaken without any prior consultation, creating a dangerously close situation between the two jets.

Despite efforts from both pilots to avert the impending collision, their attempts were in vain. The wings of the lead jet made contact with the tail of the wingman’s aircraft. Following the incident, both jets reached the ground without incident, but the resultant damage was both costly and extensive. The audit board mandated that the wingman should be responsible for only a fraction—one-tenth—of the repair costs, as it appeared that the other pilots involved had tacitly consented to the wingman’s photographic intentions.

The audit report was critical of the South Korean air force, pointing to its partial culpability due to insufficient regulations regarding the use of cameras in-flight. The report highlighted that taking photographs during flight was not an isolated occurrence, with several involved parties admitting that such activities were commonplace.

In the aftermath of the collision, the air force has taken disciplinary actions against the pilot involved. The spokesperson confirmed that one pilot had been suspended from flying duties and faced further sanctions, resulting in their departure from military service. As part of its commitment to preventing such incidents in the future, the air force has pledged to review and enhance its regulations concerning in-flight conduct and technology use.

This incident is expected to prompt a thorough reassessment of safety protocols within the South Korean air force, highlighting the need for stringent regulations to ensure that operational safety is not compromised by pilot behaviour during missions. The collision serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by distractions in the cockpit and the necessity for disciplined adherence to safety standards in military aviation.

As the air force embraces these changes, officials are hopeful that such unfortunate incidents will be significantly mitigated through increased awareness and enforcement of regulations intended to safeguard pilots and aircraft. The repercussions of this collision may resonate beyond the immediate incident, influencing policies and practices across military aviation sectors in South Korea and possibly beyond.