Audit Report Blames 2021 South Korean F-15K Collision on Pilots' Photo-Taking During Mission

South Korea's Board of Audit and Inspection found that two F-15K fighter jets collided mid-air in 2021 because the pilots were taking pictures and videos during a flight mission in the central city of Daegu. The pilots survived the collision with no injuries, but the planes sustained damage costing the military 880 million won ($596,000; £440,500) in repairs.

BBC News reported these details in coverage of the audit board's report published on Wednesday.

The wingman pilot, who wanted to commemorate his last flight with his military unit, declared his intent to take photos in a briefing before the flight. Taking photos of significant flights was a widespread practice among pilots at the time, according to the audit board. The wingman was flying behind the lead aircraft during the mission.

While returning to their base, the wingman pilot began taking pictures with his personal mobile phone. The lead aircraft pilot, upon noticing, asked another pilot on his plane to film a video of the wingman aircraft. The wingman then abruptly flew his jet higher and flipped it to be better captured on camera, bringing the two planes very close.

To avoid a crash, the lead aircraft attempted a rapid descent, but the jets collided, damaging the lead aircraft's left wing and the wingman aircraft's tail stabiliser. The wingman pilot acknowledged his sudden manoeuvre led to the collision but argued the lead pilot had tacitly consented since he knew filming was occurring. BBC News reported that the audit board considered this in its ruling.

South Korea's air force suspended the wingman pilot, who has since left the military to work for a commercial airline. The air force initially sought to fine him 880 million won to cover the full repair costs. After the pilot appealed, the audit board investigated and ruled he should pay only 88 million won, a tenth of the amount.

The board stated the air force should bear some responsibility for not properly regulating pilots' personal use of cameras. It also took into account the wingman pilot's good track record prior to the incident and his actions to prevent further damage by promptly commanding a safe return to base. The report did not mention any action taken against the other pilots involved.