The Air Force has set up an accident countermeasures headquarters and launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fighter jet crash in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang.
According to the military on the 26th, the Air Force has formed an accident countermeasures headquarters, headed by the Deputy Minister, to investigate the crash of an F-16C (single-seat) fighter jet that occurred the previous day near Yongamsan in Yongsan-ri, Anjeong-myeon, Yeongju, North Gyeongsang.
The Ministry of National Defense said at a regular briefing, "It has not yet been a full day since the time of the accident, and because it occurred at night, there were difficulties in grasping the overall situation," adding, "A full-scale investigation has been underway since daybreak."
Starting at 8:30 a.m. that day, an Air Force investigation helicopter circled and flew at low altitude over the crash site for more than an hour to assess the situation.
Given the helicopter's flight path, debris from the aircraft is estimated to be scattered over an area the size of 10 soccer fields.
To prevent secondary accidents such as a fuel tank explosion risk and contamination from aviation fuel leakage, the military has restricted access around the crash site since the previous day.
A control line has been set up about 500 meters from the access road leading to the crash site to restrict vehicle entry, and some military-related vehicles were seen moving in and out in the morning.
At the Punggi Ginseng Research Institute, located about 600 meters in a straight line from the crash site and used as a temporary on-site command post right after the accident, military and fire personnel had gathered the previous day, but most have since withdrawn.
The military denied suggestions from some quarters that aging of the aircraft may have been a factor. An official at the Ministry of National Defense said, "It is unclear what is meant by the standard for aging," adding, "While the aircraft was introduced in 1986, it underwent a performance upgrade in 2015, so it is not appropriate to simply describe it as aging."
Right after the accident, Capt. A, 33, ejected and was found caught in a tree, and was rescued by the fire authorities. The captain is reportedly receiving treatment at the Aerospace Medical Center.
The wildfire caused by the fighter jet crash was fully extinguished at about 9:10 p.m. the previous day.
Due to the wildfire, a Level 1 fire response was issued for a time, and 13 nearby residents evacuated to the community center.
Along with recovering aircraft wreckage, the military plans to determine the exact cause of the crash by comprehensively reviewing the flight record, maintenance history and the pilot's statement.