2 South Korean Air Force pilots booked over accidental bombing

KARACHI, Pakistan

Two South Korean Air Force fighter jet pilots were booked Thursday over an accidental bombing of a village last week that injured 38 people, including 24 civilians.

The pilots have been charged with professional negligence resulting in injury, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a Defense Ministry statement.

It came after pilot error was found to be the cause of the accident.

Last Thursday, two KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of Seoul, during live-fire drills.

The Defense Ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command has confirmed that the pilots' "erroneous" entry of target coordinates was the direct cause of the accident.

According to an interim probe released Monday, the Air Force pointed to pilot error for the accidental bombing, saying the pilots had at least three opportunities to catch their mistake after entering the wrong target coordinates prior to takeoff.

Attributing the accident to inadequate management and inspection procedures, the Air Force also dismissed two unit commanders over their failure to give specific instructions to their subordinates.

KARACHI, Pakistan

Two South Korean Air Force fighter jet pilots were booked Thursday over an accidental bombing of a village last week that injured 38 people, including 24 civilians.

The pilots have been charged with professional negligence resulting in injury, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a Defense Ministry statement.

It came after pilot error was found to be the cause of the accident.

Last Thursday, two KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of Seoul, during live-fire drills.

The Defense Ministry’s Criminal Investigation Command has confirmed that the pilots' "erroneous" entry of target coordinates was the direct cause of the accident.

Attributing the accident to inadequate management and inspection procedures, the Air Force also dismissed two unit commanders over their failure to give specific instructions to their subordinates.