South Korean Air Force refers pilots for discipline after midair collision

The South Korean Air Force referred pilots to a disciplinary committee after two KT-1 training aircraft collided near Sacheon Air Base on Sept. 1, according to The Korea Times. Both aircraft made emergency landings safely, and no pilots were injured.

The collision damaged both trainers, the newspaper reported. The Air Force determined that the pilots were negligent, but the report did not specify which actions led to that finding.

According to The Korea Times, the collision occurred on the morning of Sept. 1 near the air base in Sacheon, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul.

One trainer was attempting to land when its wing struck the other aircraft's fuselage, the newspaper reported.

The aircraft were KT-1 trainers assigned to the Air Force's 3rd Flying Training Wing. Both sustained damage, according to the report.

Despite the collision, both aircraft landed safely in emergency landings. The newspaper reported no injuries among the pilots.

The Air Force subsequently determined that the pilots involved had been negligent and referred them to a disciplinary committee, according to The Korea Times.

The report described the disciplinary referral but did not identify any specific conduct underlying the Air Force's negligence finding.