Turkish KT-1 gets wet

On 9 April 2021, only two days after the fatal crash of a Turkish Stars NF-5, a KT-1T Woong Bee trainer of 122 Akrep (Scorpion) Temel Filosu based at Izmir-Çigli crashed off the coast of Foça, under unknown circumstances. Both pilots survived the ordeal.

This is the second known KT-1T incident since they were introduced into service in 2010. The first incident occurred during test flights with Turkish Aviation Industries, the Turkish assigned manufacturer, building the KT-1 under license), on 9 February 2011 (serial 10-08/08).

During the reverse spin manoeuvre, the flight test engineer ejected due to a faulty ejection seat but landed safely. The test pilot did not eject and landed the plane intact.

Back in October 2010, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled the first of 40 ordered KT-1T basic trainers for the Turkish Air Force during a rollout ceremony at their Sacheon facilities. The KT-1T replaced the Cessna T-37B/C. The first five were produced at KAI's facilities. The remainder were produced by Turkish Aviation Industries.

Photo by Frank Kramer (Scramble Archive)