Seoul: The Navy announced its plans to initiate flight training for the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft this week, marking a step towards resuming operations that were halted following a fatal crash in May.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a Navy P-3CK patrol plane crashed on a mountain in Pohang, approximately 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in May, just six minutes after takeoff for routine training. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of four Navy officers, though there were no civilian casualties.
In response to the crash, the Navy grounded all P-3 aircraft, including both the P-3C and the P-3CK models, and undertook a thorough safety inspection. As preparations for resuming operations, the Navy conducted a detailed analysis, assessing the safety of the aircraft and the mental readiness of crew members for resumption.
The Navy indicated that crew members who complete the flight training, set to begin on Thursday, will gradually engage in maritime patrol operations. However, the P-3CK model will remain grounded until the investigation into the crash's cause is fully reviewed.