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Army Grounds Cobra Fleet After Deadly Training Crash in Gapyeong

Officials recognized both warrant officers as killed in the line of duty, with a Thursday funeral led by the Army chief of staff.

Military personnel examine the site of an AH-1S Cobra helicopter crash in Gapyeong, northeast of Seoul, on Feb. 9, 2026, which killed two soldiers on a flight training mission. (Yonhap)
Authorities cordon off a site in Gapyeong County, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, where an Army AH-1S Cobra helicopter crashed on Feb. 9, 2026. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The AH-1S from the 15th Aviation Group crashed at 11:04 a.m. after a 9:45 a.m. takeoff during emergency‑landing training, killing two warrant officers.
  • The Army recognized the deaths as line‑of‑duty and scheduled a Thursday funeral at a military hospital to be led by the chief of staff.
  • All AH-1S helicopters are grounded as a special task force investigates possible mechanical issues and human factors, aided by recovered recording equipment.
  • Officials said the helicopter was unarmed, no fire or explosion occurred, and no civilian damage was reported near the dry riverbed crash site.
  • The Cobra fleet, introduced in 1988 and previously grounded for 16 months after a 2023 rotor failure, is slated for retirement beginning in 2028 as LAH replacements roll out.