On the 6th of last month, military authorities added two commanders of the pilots responsible for the accidental bombing incident involving the Air Force KF-16 fighter jet, which occurred in the Pocheon area of Gyeonggi Province. The investigation of these commanders will begin this week.
The Ministry of National Defense's investigation headquarters stated that the negligence in the commanding and supervising of the practical training plan is related to this accidental bombing incident, announcing the charges against the unit commander (Colonel) and squadron commander (Major). The charges include negligent injury during work. According to the investigation headquarters, despite the requirement to confirm and supervise the pilots' training readiness, they overlooked the risks of practical training and failed to check the practical training plan.
The investigation headquarters has included the commanders as accomplices of the pilots who caused the accidental bombing. This is due to the significant causal relationship between the commanders' negligence in command and supervision and the bombing incident. According to the investigation headquarters, the commanders neglected to supervise detailed training plans, establish safety measures, and check the flight readiness. Earlier, on the 13th of last month, the investigation headquarters charged two pilots with negligent injury during work, and the Air Force had previously relieved the commanders of their duties on the 11th of the same month.
The investigation headquarters confirmed the Air Force's findings by executing a search warrant on flight data transmission devices (ADTC) and other materials. The pilots mistakenly entered target coordinates into the Flight Mission Planning System (JMPS) while preparing for flight on the 5th of last month. They were supposed to enter latitude xx.05.xxx but entered xx.00.xxx instead. After the altitude calculated based on the entered coordinates differed from the training plan, the pilots arbitrarily modified it to 2,035 feet (ft·620m). The altitude from the incorrect entry was around 500 feet (152m).
Earlier, the Air Force revealed that the pilots did not recognize their mistakes during the process of rechecking the route and target coordinates before takeoff and dropped bombs based only on the erroneously entered target coordinates displayed on the aircraft before the weapon drop without visually confirming the target.
The investigation headquarters found that the pilots who caused the accidental bombing did not use the practical flight path during pre-training. Other units used the practical flight path in advance before the Korea-U.S. joint training.
The pilots reportedly recognized the abnormal drop immediately after releasing the bombs. The investigation headquarters explained that communications indicating an abnormal bomb drop occurred right after the release were confirmed through the radio transmission records.
The investigation headquarters also looked into the delayed reporting to higher command, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Air Force Operations Command became aware of the abnormal drop at 10:07 a.m. on the 6th of last month, but reporting to higher command was delayed while confirming the drop point and the affected area.
The investigation headquarters reported nine individuals, including seven Air Force personnel and two Joint Chiefs of Staff personnel, for negligent reporting of the situation and inadequate response to their respective agencies. Additionally, a warning action is planned against the Air Force Operations Commander.