This year, the number of precautionary landings by Army helicopters has reached an all-time high. A precautionary landing is a type of emergency landing in which a helicopter pilot lands at a random location or runway when it is determined that continuing the flight could lead to a safety accident.
On October 21, Assemblyman Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, released data titled "Status of Army Aviation Power Precautionary Landings from 2020 to 2025," which he received from Army Headquarters. According to the data, the Army conducted a total of 94 precautionary landings over the past five years.
By year, there were 11 precautionary landings in 2020, 4 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 14 in 2023, 17 in 2024, and 37 so far this year. The 37 precautionary landings this year represent an approximately 117% increase compared to last year's 17 landings, and an astonishing 825% surge compared to just 4 landings five years ago.
By helicopter model, there were 34 cases involving the 500MD, 26 with the KUH-1 (Surion), 14 with the CH-47 (Chinook), 9 with the UH-60 (Black Hawk), and 5 with the AH-1S (Cobra).
Regarding the increase in precautionary landings involving the KUH-1 Surion, which is one of the relatively newer models in the Army's helicopter fleet, Assemblyman Yoo pointed out, "As the Surion is now entering its 10th year of service, there has been an increase in cases where the engine caution light or generator system caution light comes on during flight. This indicates that it is time for meticulous preventive maintenance, especially for the first batch of Surion helicopters."
The most frequent cause of precautionary landings in the Army this year was the "engine chip (ENG CHIP) caution light" in the 500MD model, which occurred 11 times. An Army official explained, "This warning indicates that minute metal particles have been detected in the engine's internal oil system, suggesting possible wear or damage inside the engine."
Additionally, it was found that the KUH-1 and AH-1S models each made four precautionary landings this year due to bird strikes.
As the number of precautionary landings by Army helicopters continues to rise, the likelihood of in-flight safety accidents is also increasing. This highlights the urgent need for the prompt retirement of aging models and the introduction of new assets. However, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the "Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Project," which is intended to replace the 500MD and AH-1S Cobra, is still in the process of being deployed, with the full deployment of approximately 180 units expected around 2031. In addition, the "Surion Helicopter Performance Improvement Project" completed its preliminary study this year, but the main project is not expected to begin until around 2029. As a result, the Army faces the reality of having to operate some of its current aging helicopters for at least another 5 to 20 years.
Assemblyman Yoo stated, "Since the Ground Operations Command operates more than 300 helicopters, each aviation unit must further strengthen its preventive maintenance system. At the same time, the Ministry of National Defense must provide special oversight to ensure that the Light Armed Helicopter Project and the Surion Performance Improvement Project proceed without delays."
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