Seoul: Pilot error appears to have been behind a KF-16 fighter jet accident that occurred during air drills in Alaska earlier this week as the pilots mistakenly tried to take off from the taxiway rather than the runway, the Air Force said Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on Tuesday (U.S. time), the two pilots ejected from the twin-seat fighter after an emergency situation occurred during takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base, when they attended the U.S.-led multinational Red Flag air exercise. They did not suffer major injuries, but the jet was partially damaged due to a fire.
Citing a preliminary probe result, the Air Force said three KF-16s wrongly entered the taxiway instead of the runway during air combat tactics held at the U.S. air base.
"The U.S. Air Force air traffic control tower instructed the second aircraft to cancel takeoff upon seeing the first aircraft taking off from the taxiway, but the distance was insufficient ... prompting an emergency ejection," an Air Force official said.
The aircraft caught fire as the KF-16 skidded to a stop in the grass near the end of the taxiway, according to the official.
As the accident did not occur due to a mechanical issue, the Air Force said it will resume training and operations of the KF-16.
"The Air Force has decided to continue to participate in the Red Flag exercise. Operation of the (KF-16) aircraft will resume Friday," the official said, apologizing over the accident and vowing to come up with "effective" measures to prevent a similar accident.
The Air Force has grounded all KF-16 fighter jets and dispatched a 20-member team to Alaska to probe the accident and carry out emergency maintenance, amid efforts to determine the exact cause of the accident under close cooperation with the U.S. side.
South Korea mobilized 11 aircraft, including six KF-16 fighters and the KC-330 transport plane, and some 100 airmen, for this year's Red Flag air exercise that runs through June 27.
Launched in 1975, the Red Flag-Alaska exercise is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment, according to the U.S. military. South Korea has deployed fighter jets to the exercise since 2013.