South Korean pilot ordered to pay $59,200 for mid-air collision while filming himself
A South Korean fighter pilot has been ordered to pay 88 million won (about $59,200) in damages for causing a 2021 mid-air collision while trying to capture photos and videos of himself flying. The pilot, whose identity was withheld, wanted footage of his last sortie before reassignment. While flying at 578 km/h, he had another plane’s pilot and a colleague take pictures of him on their phones. In pursuit of the perfect shot, he flipped his jet and flew close to the other aircraft, causing his left stabilator to strike the wing of the second plane. There were no casualties, but the unsanctioned maneuver resulted in 878 million won in damage. The defence ministry initially demanded he pay the full repair cost, but the Board of Audit and Inspection reduced his liability to 10 percent, noting that other pilots had previously conducted in‑flight filming and that he had safely flown the mission back to base. The report, released on Wednesday, did not specify the aircraft type, though Yonhap news agency said it was an F‑15K. For Nigerian readers, the incident offers little direct impact but serves as a reminder that reckless actions in aviation carry serious financial and safety consequences, reinforcing the importance of adhering to strict flight safety rules. If you work in or around aviation, what checks do you rely on to prevent the temptation of chasing a perfect shot from compromising safety?