Timeline of major fighter jet mid-air collisions
Mid-air collision cases during close-range maneuvers regardless of country or aircraft type from 1991 to 2026
1991
Two South Korean F-5A jets, collided shortly after takeoff from Gwangju
1 pilot killed, 1 pilot ejected safely
ROK Air Force
1995
Two South Korean T-59 Hawk trainers, collided over Hadong
All 4 pilots killed
ROK Air Force
1998
Two South Korean Black Eagles A-37s, wing collision during aerobatics in Chuncheon
1 pilot killed
ROK Air Force
2004
Two South Korean KF-5E jets, collided during maneuvering training over the West Sea
2 pilots killed
ROK Air Force
2026.02
Two South Korean F-16C jets, collided during night combat damage assessment over Yeongju
No casualties, cause was contact during close formation flight
ROK Air Force
2026.05
Two US Navy Growlers, collided during rejoin at Idaho airshow
Occurred during formation rejoin maneuver
US Navy
2026.09
Two Russian Su-35S jets, collided over Kursk
1 pilot killed, 1 pilot seriously injured, cause unconfirmed
Russian Air Force