US Fighter Jet Crashes in Waters Off South Korea After ‘In-Flight Emergency’

A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber (top) flies in formation with U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets over the South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea on Feb. 19, 2023. South Korea Defense Ministry via AP

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed into the Yellow Sea off South Korea on Dec. 11 after encountering an “in-flight emergency” while on a routine training flight. The pilot was rescued after ejecting safely from the aircraft.

The pilot was rescued in the Yellow Sea by the South Korean coast guard and was being returned to the Kunsan Air Base, the 8th Fighter Wing said in a statement.

The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed by the U.S. Air Force, has regained consciousness, officials said.

“We are grateful for the safe recovery of our Airman by our ROK Allies and that the pilot is in good condition,” 8th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Matthew Gaetke said, using the acronym for South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.

The cause of the in-flight emergency is unknown and is being investigated.

Osprey Crash in Japan

The incident occurred just weeks after the crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft off the coast of Japan on Nov. 29 during a training mission, killing all eight service members on board.

The bodies of seven of the crew members have since been recovered, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said on Dec. 10.

“Currently, there is a combined effort in locating and recovering the remains of our eighth Airman,” it said in a statement.

“The main priority is bringing our Airmen home and taking care of their family members. Support to, and the privacy of, the families and loved ones impacted by this incident remains AFSOC’s top priority.”

Japan has reportedly suspended all flights of its own fleet of 14 Ospreys. Japanese officials say they have asked the U.S. military to resume Osprey flights only after ensuring their safety.

The Pentagon said no such formal request has been made and that the U.S. military is continuing to fly 24 MV-22s, the Marine version of Ospreys, deployed on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

Pieces of wreckage that Japan’s coast guard and local fishing boats have collected were handed over to the U.S. military for examination, Coast Guard officials said.

Coast guard officials said the recovered pieces of wreckage include some parts of the aircraft and an inflatable life raft but nothing related to the cause of the crash, such as an engine. Local witnesses reported seeing fire coming from one of the engines.

Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, Japanese authorities aren’t given the right to seize or investigate U.S. military property unless the United States decides otherwise. That means it will be practically impossible for Japan to independently investigate the Osprey crash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.