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P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft. / Yonhap

The South Korean Navy will conduct test flights starting in September to redeploy the P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft, whose operations had been suspended following a crash near Pohang base in May last year.

According to the Navy on the 27th, test flights for the model will begin on September 1 to resume operational deployments of the P-3CK maritime patrol aircraft, which were halted following the crash on May 29, 2025.

The Navy explained that prior to the upcoming test flights, rigorous inspections were carried out across the entire fleet of P-3CK aircraft—including airframe condition evaluations led by the U.S. Navy and aircraft Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessments led by the South Korean Navy and depot maintenance contractors—confirming no defects.

To prevent stalls, flight safety equipment has been reinforced by repositioning the angle of attack indicator and installing stall warning systems. In addition, the Navy comprehensively evaluated mission readiness, including crew education, training, and psychological well-being, while stepping up flight training for pilots.

On May 29 last year, a P-3CK aircraft that took off from Pohang base for takeoff and landing training crashed near the base just six minutes later, killing four pilots and crew members. Operations of the model were suspended immediately following the crash. The Navy conducted a six-month investigation into the accident but was unable to determine the direct cause.

At the time, the Navy concluded that the aircraft lacked warning systems and that the angle of attack indicator was positioned in a location difficult for pilots to identify quickly, prompting these corrective measures.

"Once the test flights are completed, we will conduct training flights for crew mission proficiency, and after comprehensively evaluating the results of both the test and training flights, we plan to resume maritime patrol missions with the P-3CK once flight stability is confirmed," a Navy official stated.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol