A South Korean Navy P-3 maritime patrol aircraft carrying four personnel crashed into a mountain in the southeastern city of Pohang on Thursday, killing three crew members and leaving one unaccounted for, according to military and local authorities.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m., just minutes after the aircraft departed from a Pohang air base for a training mission at 1:43 p.m. Witnesses reported plumes of smoke rising from the crash site on the mountain.
In a statement, the Navy confirmed the presence of four personnel aboard the P-3C aircraft and announced the recovery of three bodies from the wreckage. A search operation is underway for the remaining individual. No civilian casualties have been reported, and fire authorities have been dispatched to extinguish the blaze.
“The cause of the crash remains undetermined,” the Navy stated, adding that an investigative team has been formed to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The P-3C aircraft, often referred to as a “submarine killer” for its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, is a key asset in South Korea’s maritime defense fleet. The Navy currently operates 16 such aircraft. This marks the first recorded crash involving a South Korean P-3C.
Acting President Lee Ju-ho, after being briefed by Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, instructed relevant agencies to prioritize rescue efforts and take all necessary steps to prevent further environmental and structural damage in the area.
Jeju Air Flight Skids Off Runway in Vietnam; No Injuries Reported
In a separate aviation incident, a Jeju Air flight carrying 183 passengers and six crew members briefly veered off the runway after landing at Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam early Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported.
Flight 7C2217, operated by a Boeing 737-800, departed from Incheon International Airport and landed in Da Nang at approximately 12:50 a.m. local time. During taxiing, the aircraft momentarily veered into a safety zone adjacent to the runway before returning to the tarmac.
One of the aircraft’s landing gear tires was torn in the incident. Following the safe disembarkation of all passengers, Jeju Air replaced the damaged tire and dispatched a replacement aircraft from South Korea to operate the return leg, Flight 7C2218.
The return flight was delayed by over 14 hours, departing Da Nang at 4:08 p.m. Wednesday.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has launched an investigation into the runway deviation.
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