An F-16V fighter jet from the Air Force’s Fifth Tactical Mixed Wing in Hualien unfortunately crashed into the sea Tuesday evening. Although the pilot called out that he was preparing to eject, no ejection signal was received, so it remains uncertain whether he successfully ejected from the aircraft.

Per the Air Force Command’s emergency press conference in Hualien the following morning, preliminary findings suggest the accident was likely caused by a malfunction of the Modular Mission Computer (MMC), leading to spatial disorientation as Captain Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) was returning to base. During night operations, spatial disorientation and controlled flight into terrain are the most common risks.

Search-and-rescue teams are currently conducting operations in the sea area marked based on the lead aircraft’s last recorded position. The Air Force confirmed that the pilot did report an MMC failure during the return to base. Due to the malfunction, the aircraft’s flight path could not be displayed, nor could its flight attitude be determined. The Air Force added that it has ordered the suspension of training and exercise tasking for F-16 aircraft and has initiated enhanced maintenance inspections as well as refresher academic and simulator training for pilots. 

At present, 13 aircraft sorties and 11 naval vessels have been dispatched for full search-and-rescue efforts. An additional 119 personnel have been dispatched to search the coastline.