KT-1 Training Aircraft Crash Accident Is a Man-Made Disaster

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The collision of two Air Force KT-1 trainer aircraft during flight training on the 1st was found to have occurred because the trainer pilot did not notify a course change.

According to Air Force officials on the 27th, some faults were identified during the investigation of the mid-air collision involving two KT-1 trainer aircraft in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, on the 1st.

According to the Air Force, on the day of the accident at the 3rd Training Flight Wing in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, two trainer aircraft took off at 10-second intervals, followed by another trainer aircraft taking off 35 seconds later. The lead aircraft A in the first flight formation was piloted by a flight instructor, while trainer B was flown by a trainee pilot who visually followed trainer A during VFR (Visual Flight Rules) training. The single trainer C that took off afterward was conducting IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) training, relying on the instrument panel.

Among the two lead aircraft that took off first, the pilot of trainer A (flight instructor), who was leading the formation, noticed clouds on the flight path and changed course to avoid them. However, it was found that the mandatory notification of the course change was not made. At that time, the air traffic controller detected the abnormal flight path of the trainers and was supposed to correct it, but testified that due to the presence of many other aircraft at the time, they failed to identify the abnormal path of the trainer involved. The controller was also found to have been at fault for not correcting the abnormal course. The Air Force plans to refer those involved to a disciplinary committee to determine the level of punishment.

As a result of this accident, flight instructors Lee Jang-hee and Jeon Yong-an, and trainee pilots Captain Cha Jae-young and Captain Jeong Jong-hyeok (posthumously promoted) who were aboard trainers B and C, respectively, died in the line of duty. The Air Force will improve the takeoff and landing procedures for military aircraft to prevent dangerously close flights and plans to resume flights of the KT-1 model involved in the accident starting from the 2nd of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.