SEOUL, March 10 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- The South Korean Air Force reaffirmed pilot error as the main cause of an unprecedented mistaken bombing on a civilian town last week, as it released on Monday the interim probe results of the fighter jet accident, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a training range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometres north of Seoul, during live-fire drills Thursday, injuring 29, including 15 civilians.
Citing an initial probe, the Air Force earlier said pilot error is suspected to have caused the accidental bombing as one of the pilots of the jets entered the wrong target coordinates prior to takeoff.
"The pilot of the first aircraft should have double-checked the target at least three times throughout the process of the assignment but did not do so," the Air Force said in a statement.
The pilot was mandated to confirm the target when entering the coordinates in a joint mission planning system computer and checking the aircraft once a data transfer cartridge has been fitted on the aircraft ahead of takeoff, according to the armed services.
After takeoff, the pilot perceived the flight route to be slightly different compared with a preparatory training course but went ahead with the bombing, without verifying the coordinates, in order to meet the target time, it added.
The Air Force also attributed the accident to inadequate management and inspection procedures, saying specific instructions were not given to the pilot by superiors.
As part of preventive measures, the Air Force vowed to strengthen procedures to confirm target coordinates in live-fire drills and overhaul its overall reporting system for abnormal situations.
The armed services also announced plans to bolster the inspection of missions and strengthen safety training on live-fire drills for all pilots.
"The Air Force, which should protect the lives and property of the people, inflicted harm on the people," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Lee Young-su said in a public apology. "It was an accident that should never have happened and one that should not recur."
The Air Force, which had grounded nearly all aircraft after the accidental bombing, said it plans to resume flight training in phases Monday, in conjunction with the beginning of a major springtime joint exercise between South Korea and the United States.
Still, live-fire drills will only resume once preventive measures are established and relevant measures are completed, it added.
-- BERNAMA-YONHAP
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