In a tragic incident during a routine training flight, a South Korean Army AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter crashed in Gapyeong’s northern county on Monday, claiming the lives of both crew members on board. The mishap occurred around 11 a.m. local time, prompting an immediate halt to all operations involving similar aircraft.
Military officials confirmed that the two warrant officers, aged 30 and 50, were rushed to a nearby hospital in cardiac arrest but could not be saved. No fire or explosion was reported at the crash site, and the helicopter was unarmed at the time. The flight was part of a training exercise focused on emergency landing procedures.
The South Korean Army has grounded its entire fleet of AH-1S Cobras pending a thorough investigation. An emergency response team has been assembled to probe the cause, with hopes pinned on recovering the helicopter’s recording devices for crucial data. Investigators are still determining whether the crash happened during active training or on the return to base.
Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back, who was on a trip to Saudi Arabia, was briefed on the incident and ordered swift follow-up actions. In a Facebook post, he vowed that the ministry would deploy all resources to respond effectively and uncover the root cause. This Cobra model, introduced in 1988 and deployed in 1991, was slated for gradual retirement starting in 2028, with full phase-out by 2031.
Such accidents underscore the inherent risks of military aviation training, even with seasoned pilots. As the investigation unfolds, the armed forces emphasize their commitment to safety enhancements amid evolving operational demands.