The South Korean Air Force confirmed on March 10 that pilot error was the main cause of the mistaken bombing of a residential area last week.
Two South Korean F-16 fighter jets accidentally dropped eight MK-82 bombs (226 kg each) outside a training area in Pocheon city on March 6, according to Yonhap. The incident occurred during a live-fire exercise between the South Korean military and the US, injuring 31 people, including 19 civilians.
House destroyed after fighter jet mistakenly bombed Pocheon
The South Korean Air Force initially suspected pilot error as the cause of the mistaken bomb drop, as one of the pilots entered the wrong target coordinates before takeoff.
In a preliminary investigation report released on March 10, the Air Force confirmed that the target’s latitude had been entered incorrectly. The pilot of the first plane dictated the coordinates to the second pilot who entered them into the computer system during preparation.
It is unclear whether the reader or the listener misread the message, but the Air Force said there were at least three opportunities to detect the error and prevent the incident.
Specifically, the pilot is responsible for confirming the target by entering coordinates into the computer and checking the aircraft after the data transmission device is installed on the aircraft before takeoff.
After takeoff, the pilot noticed that the flight path was slightly different from the preparation but still dropped the bomb without verifying the coordinates for fear of time deviation.
"The pilot of the first aircraft should have checked the target at least three times during the assigned mission but did not do so," the air force said.
Meanwhile, the second pilot entered the exact coordinates into his plane but still dropped his bombs after the first, since the training was designed as a simultaneous attack exercise.
On the other hand, the air force also said that this incident was partly due to inadequate management and inspection procedures, and that pilots did not receive specific instructions from superiors.
KF-16 fighter jet mistakenly dropped 8 bombs on residential area in South Korea
Soldiers on the ground gave the final command to drop the bomb after the pilot reported having confirmed the target visually, although he had not yet done so due to time constraints.
South Korean Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su apologized for the accident that should never have happened and pledged to strengthen management, inspection and safety measures during live-fire drills.
Authorities plan to investigate the soldiers involved and they could face criminal charges, Yonhap reported.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vu-may-bay-kf-16-nem-bom-nham-loi-phi-cong-bo-lo-3-co-hoi-sua-sai-185250310161605615.htm
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