South Korean Navy Plane Crashes, All 4 Crew Members Killed
YouTube / KOREA NOW
A South Korean Navy patrol plane went down during a training flight on Thursday, killing all four crew members on board.
The P-3C Orion aircraft took off from its base in Pohang just before 2 p.m., but crashed shortly after on a hill near an apartment complex. The impact sparked a fire, and residents nearby quickly called in the emergency. Thankfully, no one on the ground was hurt.
Firefighters and rescue crews rushed to the scene—photos show smoke rising through the trees and debris scattered across the hillside. It took two helicopters and about 40 firefighters to get the flames under control.
The cause of the crash isn’t clear yet. The Navy has grounded the rest of its P-3 fleet and launched an investigation. These planes, known for hunting submarines, have been in service for decades.
Coincidentally, South Korea is already in the process of upgrading to the newer Boeing P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, with the full switch expected by mid-2025.
It’s a tough loss for the Navy and a sobering reminder of the risks even in routine training flights.
