The navy announced on the 31st that it has established a joint civilian, military, and government accident investigation committee regarding the P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft crash and has begun investigative activities.
The committee, chaired by the navy safety commander, is composed jointly of military authorities such as the navy safety unit, investigation unit, and maritime scientific investigation center, as well as the air force aviation safety unit, army aviation office, the Korea Coast Guard, and aircraft maintenance companies.
Experts from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), who were responsible for aircraft modifications during the domestic introduction of the P-3 and have conducted major maintenance since its introduction, will also participate in the investigation committee.
The military plans to additionally deploy related organizations and civilian aviation experts if needed for the upcoming investigation.
On the 29th, a navy P-3CK anti-submarine patrol aircraft conducting takeoff and landing training near Pohang Gyeongju Airport (navy Pohang base) crashed around 1:49 p.m. into a hillside in the southern part of Pohang. All four passengers, including the pilot, were killed in the incident.
The military is investigating the cause of the accident by analyzing flight path data stored in the control tower, the cockpit voice recorder of the crashed aircraft, and the wreckage.