Full Breakdown
Mid-Air Collision of South Korean F-15K Jets Near Daegu Highlights Risks of In-Flight Filming
4/25/2026, 1:21:22 AM
The Collision and Immediate Findings
In December 2021 two Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15K fighter jets collided while returning to base near Daegu. The wingman aircraft, piloted by a major on his final flight with the unit, used a personal mobile phone to take photos. The lead jet’s crew filmed the maneuver, prompting the wingman to climb sharply and roll for a better angle. The abrupt maneuver brought the aircraft within metres; the lead jet dove to avoid impact while the wingman pulled up, but the wingman’s tail struck the lead’s left wing. Both crews landed safely; no injuries were reported. Damage to the wing and tail stabilizer required extensive repairs.
Background: In-Flight Filming Culture
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) noted that taking photos of significant flights had become a “widespread practice among pilots at the time.” The wingman had announced his intent to record the flight during a pre-mission briefing, reflecting a broader, informal acceptance of personal filming during operational sorties.
Key Figures and Institutional Actors
- Wingman pilot – a major, later suspended, who left the service and now works for a commercial airline.
- Lead pilot – crew of the lead jet who filmed the wingman’s maneuver; no disciplinary action disclosed.
- Board of Audit and Inspection – the civilian audit agency that investigated the incident.
- South Korean Air Force – the military branch responsible for flight safety and subsequent policy revisions.
Names of the pilots were not released in any source.
Data and Financial Impact
The collision caused approximately 880 million won (? US $600 000) in aircraft repairs. The air force initially sought to recover the full amount from the wingman pilot; after an appeal, the BAI reduced his liability to one-tenth, ordering repayment of 88 million won. The wingman’s flight duties were suspended, and he later departed the military.
Official Statements and Institutional Response
The air force issued a public apology, expressing regret for the public concern generated by the 2021 accident and confirming that the wingman pilot had been suspended and disciplined. It announced a review of flight-safety protocols, emphasizing tighter controls on personal camera use during missions. The BAI’s report assigned primary responsibility to the wingman pilot while also criticizing the air force for insufficient regulation of in-flight filming.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics highlighted the air force’s lax oversight, noting that the practice of personal filming was “not the only flight during which photos were taken.” The wingman pilot argued that the lead pilot had “tacitly consented” to the maneuver, a point the audit board considered in reducing the fine. No punitive measures against the lead pilot were reported, raising questions about accountability.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the fine’s initial amount: some state the pilot was ordered to pay the full 880 million won, while others describe the fine as 88 million won from the outset. The audit board’s decision to reduce liability is consistently reported, but the exact timeline of the fine’s adjustment varies. Additionally, the lack of disclosed names and the absence of information on any action taken against the lead pilot constitute notable gaps.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We sincerely apologise to the public for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021.” — Air force spokesperson (source 8)
- “The report noted that taking photos of significant flights had become a widespread practice among pilots at the time.” — Board of Audit and Inspection (source 10)
- “Those who were involved in this case stated that this was not the only flight during which photos were taken,” — Board of Audit and Inspection (source 5)
- “sincere apologies to the public for the inconvenience caused,” — Air force spokesman (source 7)
What’s Next
Following the audit, the ROKAF is revising its flight-operation regulations to prohibit unauthorized personal recording and to enforce stricter clearance procedures for any in-flight camera use. Ongoing monitoring will assess compliance, and further audits are planned to ensure the revised safety framework prevents recurrence.
