Crash During Commemorative Photo Shoot: Pilot Ordered to Pay 87 Million Won for Fighter Jet Damage

Repair Costs Reach 870 Million Won
Board of Audit and Inspection: "Negligence Acknowledged, 90% Reduction"

The Board of Audit and Inspection has ruled that a former Air Force pilot, who damaged a fighter jet while performing an unplanned maneuver to commemorate his final flight, should be responsible for part of the repair costs. However, the amount of liability was adjusted to about 10% of the total expense.

F-15K fighter jet (This photo is not directly related to the article). The Asia Business Daily DB

On April 22, the Board of Audit and Inspection released an audit report on "Irregular Expenditures and Fiscal Leakages," disclosing these findings. According to the report, former Air Force pilot A announced during a pre-flight briefing in December 2021 that he intended to take commemorative photos to mark his final flight before reassignment.

After completing his mission and while returning, a fellow pilot in the same squadron offered to take his picture. To allow the photo to be taken, A maneuvered his aircraft. During this process, the tail fin of the fighter jet piloted by A collided with the left wing of another jet.

Thanks to the swift response of A and the other pilots, there were no further damages. However, both aircraft sustained partial damage, resulting in repair costs of approximately 870 million won. At the time, A was piloting an Air Force F-15K.

Subsequently, the Ministry of National Defense demanded that A reimburse the full amount. In response, A acknowledged his negligence but argued that he was not an "accounting officer" responsible for the protection and maintenance of military supplies, nor had he grossly neglected his duty of care. He requested a ruling from the Board of Audit and Inspection.

The Board of Audit and Inspection determined that A qualified as an accounting officer (person in charge of government property) given he was assigned the fighter jet with full authority and operated it directly. The board also found him liable for negligence, as he performed an unplanned maneuver for the purpose of a commemorative photo.

However, the board reduced the liability amount by 90%, setting it at around 87 million won. The Board of Audit and Inspection explained that this decision took into account the existence of certain photo-taking customs, insufficient management and supervision by relevant authorities, A's efforts to safely resolve the situation at the time of the incident, and his long-term service as a pilot contributing to the efficient maintenance of the aircraft.

Meanwhile, the audit also uncovered cases of mismanagement of electric vehicle subsidies by local governments. There were instances where subsidies were not reclaimed from vehicles that did not comply with the mandatory operating period, and cases where recovered funds were not returned to the state. The relevant agencies were notified and cautioned accordingly.

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