A South Korean navy maritime patrol plane crashed on May 29, 2025, near the southeastern city of Pohang, resulting in the deaths of all four crew members aboard. The aircraft went down approximately six minutes after takeoff during routine takeoff and landing exercises.
According to a statement from the South Korean navy, the crash occurred in a mountainous area just before 2 p.m. The military confirmed that the bodies of all four personnel—two officers and two non-commissioned officers—have been recovered. Approximately 40 firefighters and emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site to aid recovery efforts.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by naval authorities.
This incident marks the third significant flight accident in South Korea in recent months, despite notable improvements in the country's aviation safety standards over the last two decades. Previous incidents include the December 2024 crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 during landing at Muan International Airport, which resulted in 179 fatalities. That crash was linked to a bird strike causing a belly landing and subsequent collision with a concrete structure—the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korean history.
Additionally, in January 2025, an Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire while preparing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport. All 176 passengers and crew evacuated safely, although seven people sustained injuries. Investigations into that incident are ongoing.
Authorities continue to prioritize aviation safety and the investigation into the latest navy patrol plane crash is ongoing.
