South Korean fighter pilot fined $59,200 for mid-air selfie crash

A South Korean fighter pilot has been held responsible for a mid-air collision after attempting to capture photos and videos during flight. The incident, which occurred in 2021, has resurfaced following a report by the country’s Board of Audit and Inspection detailing how the situation unfolded and the penalties imposed.

Attempt to record a final flight

The pilot was on what he considered his final sortie before being reassigned. Wanting to document the moment, he coordinated with two other pilots flying nearby and asked them to take photos and videos of his aircraft mid-air, per News 18 report.

Also Read | ‘No bindi, sindoor or tikkas’: New Air India policy for crew with same argument as Lenskart

At the time, the jets were travelling at a speed of 578 kilometres per hour. The operation required precise coordination, but the situation quickly turned risky as the aircraft flew in close formation to capture the footage.

High-risk manoeuvre goes wrong

While attempting to get a better angle for the recording, the pilot carried out an uncoordinated manoeuvre. The report states that he flipped the aircraft, positioning it in a way that would allow its upper side to be filmed.

According to the reports of News18, the manoeuvre caused the jet to “invert up to 137 degrees so that its upper side could be captured on video.” Flying at high speed and in close proximity to another aircraft, the pilot misjudged the distance between the jets.

As a result, the left stabilator, a control surface located on the tail of the aircraft, struck the wing of the nearby jet. The collision damaged both aircraft and forced an immediate response from the pilots involved.

No casualties, but significant damage

Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties were reported. The pilots managed to maintain control and safely land their aircraft after the collision.

However, the financial impact was substantial. The damage caused by the collision was estimated at 878 million won. Following the incident, the defence ministry initially sought to recover the entire amount from the pilot responsible.

After an appeal, the amount was reduced. The pilot was directed to pay 10 percent of the total damages, which comes to around 88 million won, or approximately ₹55 lakh.

Past record influences decision

In determining the final penalty, authorities took into account the pilot’s service history. According to the reports of NDTV, “Since commissioning in 2010, the individual has served for an extended period as a fighter pilot, managing aircraft safely.”

Also Read | Why was a US traveller detained at Srinagar airport? Satellite phone sparks probe

It also highlighted that similar in-flight filming practices had occurred in the past, suggesting that such activities were not entirely uncommon, even if they carried inherent risks. Additionally, the fact that the pilot was able to return the aircraft safely after the incident was considered during the review.

Aircraft identified in separate report

While the official audit report did not name the aircraft involved, a separate report by NDTV identified the jet as an F-15K fighter aircraft. The case underscores how even routine or informal actions during high-speed operations can lead to serious consequences, particularly in tightly controlled environments such as military aviation.