South Korean Air Force Blames Pilot Selfies for 2021 Jet Collision

South Korea's air force apologized after an audit concluded that a 2021 mid-air collision between two F-15K fighter jets was caused by pilots taking selfies. The incident, which resulted in significant financial loss, highlighted a serious breach of protocol.

23 Apr, 04:35 — 23 Apr, 10:57

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Why this matters

This incident highlights critical safety concerns in military aviation, particularly regarding pilot conduct and adherence to operational protocols. The revelation that taking selfies was a 'widespread practice' points to systemic issues in training and oversight within the South Korean Air Force, impacting national security and public trust.

Key entitiesSouth Korean Air Force F-15K fighter jets Daegu State Audit Board

The Story

What 11 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Two South Korean F-15K fighter jets collided in mid-air in 2021 near Daegu.
The collision was caused by pilots taking selfies and videos during the flight.
The South Korean Air Force has issued a public apology for the incident.
Taking photos during important flights was a widespread practice among pilots.

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

Two South Korean F-15K fighter jets collided in 2021.

agreed·aftonbladetbalkan-webluxemburger-wortvgberlingske+2

✓

The collision was caused by pilots taking selfies and videos.

agreed·aftonbladetbalkan-webluxemburger-wortvgberlingske+2

✓

The South Korean Air Force apologized for the incident.

agreed·balkan-webberlingskeKorea HeraldThe Guardian

✓

Taking photos during important flights was a widespread practice.

agreed·berlingskeThe Guardian

One pilot was ordered to repay some of the $600,000 damage.

unverified·The Guardian

The midair collision cost $135 million.

unverified·Korea Herald

Coverage gaps

The specific cost of the damage caused by the collision and the pilot ordered to repay some of it.

ReportedThe GuardianKorea Herald

Missingaftonbladetbalkan-webluxemburger-wort+2

The exact date of the collision (December 2021).

Reportedbalkan-web

Missingaftonbladetluxemburger-wortvg+3

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (92/100)

11 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 4/5 buckets covered25/33

Far L2

Far Left (2)

aftonbladetThe Guardian

Left2

Left (2)

n1-serbiaiefimerida

Center5

Center (5)

SCMPbalkan-webvg20-minutenKorea Herald

Right2

Right (2)

luxemburger-wortberlingske

Far R

Geographic diversity— 11 regions34/34

Hong Kong1Sweden1Albania1Luxembourg1Norway1Switzerland1Denmark1Serbia1South Korea1Greece1UK1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

guardian

aftonbladet

n1-serbia

iefimerida

balkan-web

20-minuten

korea-herald

luxemburger-wort

berlingske

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

The Guardianleftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly Factualreports on apology and financial consequences

aftonbladetcenter-leftcenter-leftneutral—factual reporting of incident cause

n1-serbia

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely factual and reports on the findings of the investigation without significant political framing, focusing on the incident itself and the official response.

Sources

Showing 3 of 11 sources

The GuardianMostly Factual7h ago

Pilot’s selfie led to mid-air collision in F-15K fighter jet, says South Korea’s air force

One pilot ordered to repay some of the $600,000 of damage caused by collision in 2021 South Korea’s air force has apologised for a 2021 mid-air collision involving two fighter jets, a day after auditors said pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident. “We sincerely apologise to the public for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021,” an air force spokesperson said in a press briefing. The spokesperson said one of the pi...

By Reuters

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SCMPMostly Factual44m ago

South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies

South Korea’s air force apologised on ⁠Thursday for a ⁠2021 mid-air collision involving two ⁠fighter jets, a day after auditors said pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident. “We sincerely apologise to the public ‌for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021,” an air force spokesman said in a press briefing, adding that one of the pilots involved had been suspended from flying duties, received severe disciplinary actio...

By Reuters

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Korea HeraldMostly Factual5h ago

Air Force pilot’s selfie caused $135 million midair collision

A midair collision involving two Air Force F-15K fighter jets in 2021 occurred because a pilot was trying to film himself flying, according to a report released Wednesday by the state audit board. The pilot, an Air Force major at the time, was filming himself inside the cockpit during a December 2021 flight to mark his final flight before being transferred to another post, according to a report by the Board of Audit and Inspection. The squadron leader flying ahead of him had instructed the offic

By The Korea Herald

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: The Guardian · 23 Apr, 04:35|Full coverage: 11 · 6h|Window: 6h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

The Guardian23 Apr, 04:35First to report

Pilot’s selfie led to mid-air collision in F-15K fighter jet, says South Korea’s air force

1h later

iefimerida23 Apr, 05:48

Βασιλάκης: Έρχονται ακριβότερα αεροπορικά εισιτήρια - Τι αλλάζει με το Jet Fuel

Korea Herald23 Apr, 06:40

Air Force pilot’s selfie caused $135 million midair collision

n1-serbia23 Apr, 06:54

"Er Srbija": Neminovno poskupljenje avio-karata, šta se dešava ako ste ih već kupili

berlingske23 Apr, 07:15

Sydkoreas luftvåben undskylder for piloters selfie-ulykke

1h later

20-minuten23 Apr, 08:20

Përplasja me një avion luftarak në ajër, zbardhet aksidenti i 2021-it në Korenë e Jugut, pilotët po bënin…selfie

aftonbladet23 Apr, 10:19

Stridspiloter tog selfies – kolliderade i luften

SCMP23 Apr, 10:57Latest update

South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from a general report of a collision to a specific cause (pilot selfies) and then to the broader implications of pilot conduct and accountability within the Air Force.

Initial Incident2021

Two South Korean F-15K fighter jets collided in mid-air in 2021.

Investigation Findings ReleasedApril 23 morning

A report from the state audit board concluded that pilot selfies caused the collision.

Official Apology and Details EmergeApril 23 morning

The South Korean Air Force apologized, and details about widespread selfie practice and financial damages were reported.

South Korean Air Force Blames Pilot Selfies for 2021 Jet Collision

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Pilot’s selfie led to mid-air collision in F-15K fighter jet, says South Korea’s air force

South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies

Air Force pilot’s selfie caused $135 million midair collision

Coverage Timeline

Pilot’s selfie led to mid-air collision in F-15K fighter jet, says South Korea’s air force

Βασιλάκης: Έρχονται ακριβότερα αεροπορικά εισιτήρια - Τι αλλάζει με το Jet Fuel

Air Force pilot’s selfie caused $135 million midair collision

"Er Srbija": Neminovno poskupljenje avio-karata, šta se dešava ako ste ih već kupili

Sydkoreas luftvåben undskylder for piloters selfie-ulykke

Luftwaffen-Kadetten fliegen Penisse in den Himmel – Strafe droht

Rapport: Sørkoreanske kampfly kolliderte fordi pilotene tok selfier

Südkorea: Piloten-Selfies führten zu Kollision zweier Kampfjets

Përplasja me një avion luftarak në ajër, zbardhet aksidenti i 2021-it në Korenë e Jugut, pilotët po bënin…selfie

Stridspiloter tog selfies – kolliderade i luften

South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies

Story evolution

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Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(11 sources)

Political spectrum