South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) ruled April 22 that the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) bears partial institutional responsibility for a December 2021 midair collision between two F-15K fighter jets, South Korea’s primary combat aircraft, finding the service failed to prohibit in-flight personal photography that contributed to the crash.
The South Korean air force recently sought to recoup 88 million won from a former wingman pilot to cover repair costs following a 2021 mid-air collision. The pilot, who has since left the military for a career in commercial aviation, appealed the fine, sparking an audit board… pic.twitter.com/G9oUXDHvPO
— idrw (@idrwalerts) April 22, 2026
The collision occurred December 24, 2021, during a two-ship formation flight from the 11th Combat Wing in Daegu. The wingman pilot, a major who has since moved to civilian aviation, performed an uncoordinated 137-degree roll without notifying the lead pilot, causing his horizontal tail stabilizer to strike the lead jet’s left wing. Both jets landed safely.
Repairs required replacing six parts on the wingman’s aircraft and 45 on the lead, costing 878.71 million Korean won, approximately $596,000.
🇰🇷⚡️ — South Korea F-15K mid-air collision probe.
➡️ Pilots reportedly taking photos/videos during mission.
➡️ Maneuver brought jets too close, causing collision.
➡️ Both survived; aircraft damaged (~$596K).
➡️ Fine later reduced due to shared responsibility by the air force. pic.twitter.com/nvMoSACEyi— Geopolitia (@_geopolitic_) April 22, 2026
The pilot had announced filming plans at the pre-flight briefing. “This is my last flight before a transfer, so I will take photos of the flight after completing the mission,” he said. The lead pilot offered assistance, instructing his rear-seat crew member to record the wingman and saying, “I will take the photo for you.” The wingman then rolled inverted without coordinating with the lead to improve his camera angle.
Two of South Korea’s most advanced fighter jets collided mid-air after pilots became distracted taking photos.
The incident involved two F-15K Slam Eagles flying near Daegu in 2021. According to an official audit report, one pilot began taking pictures with a personal phone to… pic.twitter.com/WkTGpsAjPS
— Flightdrama (@flightdrama) April 22, 2026
The ROKAF kept the incident confidential for more than four years, ordering the pilot to repay the full repair cost under the Accounting Officials Responsibility Act. After petitioning the BAI, his liability dropped 90% to 87.87 million won, approximately $60,000. The board cited his long service and safe recovery of both aircraft.
The board upheld gross negligence but found the Air Force “bore partial responsibility for failing to strictly control filming,” with testimony confirming in-flight personal photography was common practice across the force.
The ROKAF has not publicly addressed whether it has since issued a formal ban.
