The F-16C fighter jet, assigned to Chungju Air Base, crashed into a mountainous area near Yeongju city around 7:31 p.m. today while conducting a night training exercise, the South Korean Air Force reported.

A South Korean air force F-16D fighter jet participating in a training exercise in 2019. Photo: US Air Force

"The pilot safely ejected without injury. No civilian damage on the ground has been reported," the South Korean Air Force announced. Rescue teams located the pilot around 8:10 p.m., after his parachute became entangled in a tree approximately 20 meters tall.

Authorities stated the fighter jet crash ignited a forest fire on the mountain slope, which is about 500 meters high. Firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze, despite challenges posed by the rugged terrain.

The South Korean Air Force has formed a task force to investigate the cause of the F-16C fighter jet crash.

A fire erupts at the crash site of a South Korean F-16C fighter jet on 25/2. Photo: Gyeongbuk Fire Department

Developed by General Dynamics in the 1970s, the F-16 multirole fighter jet is used by the US military and many allied nations, including South Korea. Each F-16 costs approximately 30-35 million USD, depending on the variant. Customers may pay more or less based on order quantity, economic and political conditions, and other factors.

South Korea operates 118 F-16C fighter jets and 49 F-16D aircraft, both variants manufactured under license from the US. Since entering service in 1986, F-16 fighter jets have played a significant role in the operational activities of the South Korean Air Force.

Vu Hoang (According to Korea Times, Chosun, Yonhap)