South Korea: Pilot error suspected in KF-16 Alaska accident

IANS June 12, 2025 425 views

A South Korean KF-16 fighter jet experienced a critical incident during the Red Flag air exercise in Alaska when pilots mistakenly attempted to take off from a taxiway. Both pilots successfully ejected without major injuries, though the aircraft caught fire and was partially damaged. The Air Force confirmed pilot error as the primary cause and will resume training operations. This accident follows a previous bombing mishap, highlighting potential training and coordination challenges.

"The Air Force has decided to continue to participate in the Red Flag exercise" - South Korean Air Force Official
Seoul, June 12: Pilot error appears to have been behind a KF-16 fighter jet accident that occurred during air drills in Alaska earlier this week as the pilots mistakenly tried to take off from the taxiway rather than the runway, the South Korean Air Force said Thursday.

Key Points

1

Pilots mistook taxiway for runway during multinational air drills

2

Two pilots safely ejected after emergency situation

3

No mechanical issues detected in aircraft

4

Incident follows previous South Korean fighter jet bombing error

On Tuesday (US time), the two pilots ejected from the twin-seat fighter after an emergency situation occurred during takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base, when they attended the US-led multinational Red Flag air exercise. They did not suffer major injuries, but the jet was partially damaged due to a fire.

Citing a preliminary probe result, the Air Force said three KF-16s wrongly entered the taxiway instead of the runway as they prepared to take off to participate in air combat drills.

All four pilots of the three aircraft told investigators that they mistook the taxiway for the runway.

"The US Air Force air traffic control tower instructed the second aircraft to cancel takeoff upon seeing the first aircraft taking off from the taxiway, but the distance was insufficient ... prompting an emergency ejection," an Air Force official said.

The aircraft caught fire as it skidded to a stop in the grass near the end of the taxiway, according to the official.

The two pilots of the second aircraft appear to have ejected from the aircraft due to the fire, the official said, noting that the exact sequence of the events is currently under investigation. The exact cause of the fire currently remains unclear, Yonhap news agency reported.

As the accident did not occur due to a mechanical issue, the Air Force said it will resume training and operations of the KF-16.

"The Air Force has decided to continue to participate in the Red Flag exercise. Operation of the (KF-16) aircraft will resume Friday," the official said, apologising over the accident and vowing to come up with "effective" measures to prevent a similar accident.

The four pilots, however, will no longer take part in the exercise and cooperate with the investigation, according to the official.

The Air Force earlier grounded all KF-16 fighter jets and dispatched a 20-member team to Alaska to probe the accident and carry out emergency maintenance, amid efforts to determine the exact cause of the accident under close cooperation with the US side.

South Korea mobilised 11 aircraft, including six KF-16 fighters and the KC-330 transport plane, and some 100 airmen, for this year's Red Flag air exercise that runs through June 27.

Launched in 1975, the Red Flag-Alaska exercise is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment, according to the US military. South Korea has deployed fighter jets to the exercise since 2013, Yonhap news agency reported.

This week's accident took place about three months after two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly bombed a town just south of the inter-Korean border, injuring 66 people, including 40 civilians.

The aircraft released live bombs outside of a designated training area as the pilots wrongly entered the target coordinates, according to the Air Force.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is concerning - two major accidents involving KF-16s in just 3 months! While pilot error happens, the frequency suggests deeper training issues. South Korea should review their entire pilot training protocol before resuming operations. Safety first! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
Thank God the pilots ejected safely! 🙏 Mistakes happen in high-pressure military environments. India's Air Force has also faced similar challenges during joint exercises. The important thing is learning from these incidents to prevent future accidents.
A
Arjun S.
Interesting how this happened during US-led exercises. Makes me wonder - were the pilots unfamiliar with the Alaska base layout? When our IAF pilots train abroad, does our military provide enough orientation? Food for thought for our defense establishment.
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Neha T.
The previous bombing accident + this one = pattern of carelessness. South Korea needs to temporarily ground these pilots until proper investigation is done. We Indians understand the value of military discipline - our forces would never be so casual with live bombs!
V
Vikram J.
Joint exercises are crucial for military preparedness, but safety protocols must be foolproof. Maybe they need better runway markings or digital assistance systems? Our Tejas pilots could probably teach them a thing or two about precision flying! 😉
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Sunita R.
As someone whose brother is in IAF, this hits close to home. Pilot error is human, but military aviation has zero margin for error. Hope South Korea implements better checks - maybe buddy system during foreign exercises? Our forces use this effectively.

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Tags:
KF-16 South Korea Air Force Alaska Air Exercise Pilot Error Red Flag Exercise US Military Training