Pyeongchang: Pilot negligence caused two gun pods and empty fuel tanks to be accidentally released from a KA-1 light attack aircraft last week, the Air Force said Monday. On Friday, the aircraft taking part in nighttime drills over Pyeongchang, about 125 kilometers east of Seoul, jettisoned the parts in a mountainous area. No casualties or property damage have been reported.

According to Yonhap News Agency, "Probe results showed negligence of the rear-seat pilot was confirmed to be the cause of the jettison," the Air Force said in a notice to reporters. The pilot in the two-seat aircraft was found to have mistakenly pressed the emergency jettison button while trying to adjust the heater, the armed service said.

The Air Force apologized to the public over causing concerns and vowed to come up with practical measures to prevent similar accidents. Operations of all aircraft, which had been mostly grounded following Friday's accident, will resume Tuesday afternoon, it said.