Two Taiwan Air Force pilots were killed after a T-34 trainer aircraft crashed in southern Taiwan, local media reported on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung during a simulated engine-failure training mission.
Crash Details
According to the country's Air Force, the aircraft was being flown by Lieutenant Colonel Lu Chi-yu and Lieutenant Colonel Kuo Chun-nan. The plane crashed near the northern end of the runway at 8:08 am local time. Both pilots were killed in the accident.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences for the two Air Force lieutenant colonels and announced that a task force had been established to investigate the cause of the accident and prevent similar tragedies, as reported by CNA.
Official Reactions
"I'm deeply saddened by this sudden tragedy. On behalf of the country, I would like to thank the two pilots for their sacrifices and contributions and extend my deepest condolences to their families," Lai told reporters in Taipei.
In a statement, Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai said the task force would review the aircraft's mechanical condition, training procedures, and safety measures to ensure the safety of future exercises.
Pilot Profiles
According to local media, Lieutenant Colonel Kuo Chun-nan, 46, was married and graduated from the Republic of China Air Force Academy in 2004. He had accumulated 2,172 flight hours in the T-34. Lieutenant Colonel Lu Chi-yu, 41, was married with a son and a daughter, and graduated from the academy in 2008. He had logged 2,114 flight hours in the T-34.
Aircraft Background
The US-made T-34C Mentor serves as the first aircraft flown by air force cadets before they advance to jet trainers and operational combat aircraft.
Previous Major Crashes in Taiwan
In 2015, Taiwan saw one of the most visually documented crashes in aviation history when an ATR 72-600 turboprop suffered a malfunction in one engine shortly after taking off from Songshan Airport. Local media reported that as the aircraft plunged toward the Keelung River, its wing rolled at a near 90-degree angle, clipping a taxi and a highway viaduct barrier before crashing into the water. Dashcam footage from nearby cars captured the final seconds. Out of 58 people on board, 43 perished.
In 2000, a Boeing 747-200 China Airlines flight broke apart mid-air over the Taiwan Strait, killing all 225 people on board. In 1998, an Airbus A300 crashed into a residential neighborhood near Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now Taoyuan International Airport) while attempting a go-around in heavy fog and rain. All 196 people on board and seven people on the ground were killed.
