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Collision traced to in-flight photography
Seoul's Board of Audit and Inspection determined that two South Korean F-15K fighter jets collided in 2021 because pilots were taking commemorative pictures and videos during a routine mission over Daegu.
Sequence of events
The incident unfolded after the wingman pilot announced in a pre-flight briefing that he wanted to photograph his final sortie with the unit. While returning to base, he used a personal mobile phone to capture images.
The lead aircraft's pilot then instructed a colleague on board to film the wingman jet. In response, the wingman abruptly climbed and performed a barrel roll to improve the camera angle, bringing the two planes dangerously close.
The lead jet attempted an emergency descent, but the aircraft collided, damaging the lead jet's left wing and the wingman's tail stabilizer.
Costs and disciplinary actions
Repairs totaled 880 million won (approximately $596,000 or £440,500). Both pilots survived uninjured. The air force initially sought the full repair cost from the wingman pilot, who had since left the military and joined a commercial airline.
After an appeal triggered an audit, the board reduced the fine to 88 million won. It cited the air force's failure to regulate personal camera use and the wingman's otherwise strong service record.
Cultural context and accountability
The audit report described in-flight photography as a "widespread practice" among pilots at the time. The wingman argued that the lead pilot had tacitly approved the maneuver by allowing the filming to proceed.
The board concluded that the air force shared responsibility for not enforcing clear rules. It noted the wingman's quick recovery actions prevented further damage. The report did not specify any disciplinary measures for the other pilots involved.
