Pilot negligence caused the accidental release of gun pods and empty fuel tanks from a KA-1 light attack aircraft in South Korea, the country’s air force said on Monday.
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The blunder last week, the latest in a series of accidents in recent months, has prompted concerns about lax standards within the armed forces.
According to Yonhap, authorities said the pilot had mistakenly pressed the emergency jettison button, located above the heater’s ventilation, while attempting to adjust the heater to prevent air from blowing into his visor.
The aircraft was taking part in nighttime drills over a mountainous area in Pyeongchang, some 125km east of Seoul, when the accident occurred at about 8pm on Friday.
No casualties or property damage were reported.
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A HH-60 helicopter and about 270 soldiers were mobilised to locate the missing parts, the air force said.
The gun pods and most of the ammunition were recovered over the weekend.