A Taiwanese military T-34 trainer aircraft crashed on Tuesday during a simulated engine failure exercise, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board, according to a statement from the defence ministry.
Details of the Crash
The T-34 plane went down at 8:08 am (GMT) at the northern end of the runway at Gangshan air base in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, the ministry reported. The pilots, identified only by their rank and surnames as lieutenant colonels Lu and Guo, were killed instantly.
Local reports indicate that the aircraft, bearing tail number 3414, lost control for unknown reasons while conducting a simulated engine failure circuit. The two airmen were pronounced dead at the scene.
Official Response
Taiwan's defence ministry spokesman, Lt Gen Sun Li-fang, confirmed the fatalities and stated that air force commander Gen Cheng Rong-feng had visited the crash site. Defence minister Koo Li-hsiung has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, directing authorities to implement measures to prevent a recurrence and to provide immediate assistance to the families of the deceased pilots.
The air force has formed a special task force to investigate the cause of the crash.
Previous Incidents
In January, an F-16 fighter jet crashed into the sea off eastern Taiwan during a routine training mission. The pilot is believed to have ejected from the aircraft but has not been found.
