Seoul, South Korea: A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed near the American military base in Gunsan, South Korea, on December 11, 2023. The incident occurred during a training mission, raising concerns about the safety of this advanced aircraft.
While the South Korean Defence Ministry has not officially confirmed the crash, US media reports state that the F-16 went down shortly after takeoff. The aircraft’s fate and the pilot’s condition remain unclear.
This incident is not the first involving an F-16. In 2022 alone, the US Air Force Safety Centre documented ten crashes of the “Fighting Falcon,” resulting in two fatalities, serious injuries, and millions of dollars in losses.
According to media reports, Category A accidents involving the F-16 cost the US over $2.5 million each, while Category B incidents caused damages between $6 million and $2.5 million.
2021 also saw a crash involving three F-16s, with one pilot tragically killed. Over the past decade, the F-16 has averaged three crashes per year. Notably, December 2019 saw an F-16 pilot eject safely at Kunsan Airbase after a failed landing attempt. Additionally, a Taiwanese F-16 crashed in Hawaii in June 2022 after the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.
The crash in South Korea underscores the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the F-16, considered a highly advanced aircraft used by many NATO countries, including the United States. While the cause of this specific incident remains under investigation, it highlights the need for thorough safety assessments and continuous improvements to ensure the protection of pilots and prevent future tragedies.
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