Asia-Pacific

S Korean fighter jet crashes; 2 airmen killed

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-18 18:59

Rescue workers carry the body of a South Korean Air Force jet fighter pilot in Gangneung, about 237 km east of Seoul, June 18, 2010. A South Korean jet fighter F-5F crashed into waters off the country's east coast during a routine training mission, killing two pilots on board, according to South Korean Air Force officials, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday. [Agencies]

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea's Air Force says a fighter jet crashed into the sea after a training mission and its two pilots were killed.

The Air Force said the F-5 jet went missing off the east coast early Friday as it was returning to its air base in Gangneung after finishing a training mission. The base is about 147 miles (237 kilometers) east of Seoul.

The Air Force said rescuers recovered the bodies of the two pilots.

The Air Force also grounded all F-5 jets for safety checks. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

In March, two F-5 jets crashed into a mountain during training, killing three airmen.