South Korea's air force has apologised for a 2021 mid-air collision involving two F-15K fighter jets, which occurred during a formation flight near Daegu. The accident was caused by unplanned manoeuvres by pilots taking selfies and filming.
A report by the state Board of Audit and Inspection found that the wingman pilot attempted to record images to mark his final flight with the unit, sharply climbing and banking the aircraft without clearance to improve the camera angle while another pilot filmed video from the lead jet.
As the aircraft closed in, both crews attempted evasive action, but the wingman's tail struck the lead jet's wing, causing about 880 million won ($600,000) in damage. No one was injured.
The audit board held the wingman pilot primarily responsible and ordered him to repay about a tenth of the repair costs. The air force has since suspended the pilot from flying duties and taken steps to tighten flight safety rules.