The South Korean Air Force has issued an apology and assessed blame following a 2021 mid-air collision caused by pilots filming during a flight.
Pilots Recording Maneuvers
The South Korean Air Force sincerely apologized to the public for concerns raised by the incident that occurred in 2021, a spokesperson stated during a press conference on April 23rd, according to aviationnews.eu. The military released a report from the Board of Audit and Inspection, which investigated the collision, the day prior.
The investigation revealed that pilots were recording maneuvers and taking photographs during the flight.
Circumstances of the Collision
According to “The Chosun Ilbo,” during pre-flight briefing, one pilot announced it was his farewell flight and intended to document it with photos and recordings. Both pilots were reportedly recording their maneuvers and taking photographs in flight.
Investigators determined that the pilot in the trailing aircraft performed a sudden ascent to provide a better shot for the pilot recording him. The lead pilot attempted an abrupt descent to avoid collision, while the trailing aircraft climbed almost vertically. Despite these efforts, the aircraft collided, with the left wing of the lead aircraft striking the second plane.
Pilot Penalized
The pilot who executed the dangerous maneuver was suspended following the incident and subsequently left the Air Force to become a commercial airline pilot.
No injuries occurred, but both aircraft sustained significant damage. Initially, the pilot was ordered to cover damages totaling approximately 880 million won (around 2.1 million Polish złoty).
Appeal and Final Ruling
The pilot appealed the decision. A review board confirmed the pilot’s actions caused the collision but partially granted his appeal, reducing the penalty. The final ruling requires the pilot to pay approximately 88 million won (around 215,000 Polish złoty).
Edited by Kamila Cieślik
