South Korean Air Force KF-16 Jets Accidentally Drop Bombs on Village, Injuring 15

In a serious mishap, two KF-16 Viper fighter jets belonging to the Republic of Korea Air Force mistakenly released a total of eight Mark 82 500-pound bombs over Pocheon, a village in South Korea, located approximately eight kilometers (4.97 miles) away from their intended target. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but according to Yonhap News Agency, at least 15 people sustained injuries.

Pilot Error Suspected as the Main Cause

Preliminary reports suggest that pilot error was responsible for the accidental drop bombs incident. Investigations indicate the following possible mistakes:

• The pilots entered incorrect coordinates into the KF-16’s flight data computer, leading them to fly to the wrong location.
• It is suspected that the pilots failed to visually confirm the target area before deploying their ordinance.
• Proper procedure dictates that if pilots are uncertain of their target, they should ensure that the “MASTER ARM” switch in the cockpit remains off to prevent accidental bomb release.
• Air traffic control did not intervene to warn the pilots about their incorrect flight path while carrying live ammunition.

In response to the incident, Republic of Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su stated:

“We will compensate to the full extent the mental, physical and property damage inflicted upon the residents.”

Residents Describe the Chaos

The damage caused by the accidental bombing was severe, as captured in social media posts. A resident, Oh Moung-su, 65, described the terrifying moment to Reuters:

“There was a sudden loud roar of a fighter jet, then an explosion rang out. When I went to the scene, there were about four houses that were halved from the damage, people hurt. Dusk and smoke rose into the sky, water gushed out of a pipe. People in a vehicle going to a construction site were injured—some of them couldn’t even get out of the car. Another was outside the car covering his eye.”

The Intended Target Was a Military Weapons Range

The bombs were never meant to hit Pocheon. Instead, they were supposed to be dropped on a designated weapons range as part of preparations for a joint South Korean-U.S. military exercise scheduled to take place from March 10 to March 20.

According to Reuters, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) spokesperson Ryan Donald emphasized in a briefing that the upcoming drills aim to enhance coordination between South Korean and American forces. These exercises are a crucial part of military readiness efforts against potential threats from North Korea.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’