On December 24, 2021, two F-15K fighter jets from the Republic of Korea Air Force collided during a formation flight. This incident occurred near Daegu, South Korea.
The collision was reportedly caused by a pilot’s uncoordinated maneuver to film the flight. Major A, the pilot involved, announced his intention to take photos during a pre-flight briefing.
Within hours of the incident, both aircraft managed to land safely. However, the collision inflicted significant damage—the left wing of the lead aircraft and the tail stabilizer of the wingman aircraft were affected.
The Board of Audit and Inspection later found Major A primarily responsible for the incident. They noted that he executed a 137-degree roll maneuver without notifying his lead pilot.
Repair costs for the damage totaled approximately KRW 878,709,963 (around $620,000). Major A’s financial liability was initially set high but later reduced by 90% to KRW 87,870,996 (about $62,000).
This situation has raised serious concerns regarding in-flight personal photography practices among pilots. At the time of the incident, such practices were common but lacked formal prohibitions.
As of now, Major A has left military service to pursue a career in commercial aviation. His actions have sparked discussions about safety protocols within the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The ROKAF bears partial institutional responsibility for failing to prohibit in-flight personal photography—an oversight that may have contributed to this dangerous situation.