The search for lost F-16V fighter pilot Captain Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) is still ongoing, with an expanded search area. On Friday, Taitung County army extended the search from Changbin Township to the mouth of the Beinan River in Taitung, though as of noon there were no further results.

On Wednesday evening, Hsin's fighter jet from the Air Force's Fifth Tactical Mixed Wing in Hualien lost contact while off coast while returning to base. Officials are concerned he crashed into the sea. From Thursday evening through Friday morning, helicopters continued low-altitude searches off Taitung and Hualien coasts, joining the Coast Guard vessels who have been searching since Wednesday.

The Coast Guard stated that, as of 9 am Wednesday, 4 ships, 16 boats, 132 vehicles, and nearly 300 personnel have been dispatched in the search for the missing pilot. ROC Armed forces are collaborating with the Coast Guard among other search-and-rescue units in the incident area, which is experiencing three-meter-high waves and gusts up to wind-force nine.

The high winds and southward tides are two of the biggest reasons for expanding the search area. Army Taitung Regional Command stated that it is currently deploying 40 personnel daily for coastal searches, with the initial search having focused on the coast and waters off Fengbin Township in Hualien.