Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) A Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet of the Republic of China Air Force crashed while on a routine training mission off the coast of Hsinchu in northern Taiwan Friday afternoon, the Air Force Headquarters said.
Rescue and search operations were launched immediately, said the headquarters.
The two pilots, Squadron Leader Wu Pin-fu and Flight Lieutenant Wu Shih-feng, who ejected to safety and were rescued by Air Force helicopters and marine police, respectively, were rushed to two hospitals for treatment, the headquarters said. Wu Pin-fu was reported to be in good condition; Wu Shih-feng sustained slight injuries to his lower back.
The pilots of the twin-seat fighter reported engine damage to controllers after flying into a flock of birds during takeoff from Hsinchu Air Base. The jet was ordered to return immediately but crashed into sea at 6:11 p.m., the headquarters said.
This was fourth major accident involving Taiwan's fleet of advanced fighter jets.
In March last year, a two-seater F-16 fighter went missing off the coast of the Penghu islands while on a training mission; in June this year, another two-seater F-16 aircraft plunged into the sea 35 kilometers southeast of Green Island off the coast of eastern Taiwan; and then in August, an F-16 single-pilot jet crashed near an air base in Chiayi, Central Taiwan.
As part of its military modernization effort, Taiwan purchased 60 Mirage 2000-5 fighters from France in 1993 at a total price of US$3 billion. It also purchased 150 US-built F-16 MLU (mid-life upgrade) jets and 130 locally-produced indigenous defense fighters (IDFs).
The headquarters said that the Air Force will not ground its Mirage fleet if no mechanical problem or human error is found to have been involved in the accident. (By Bear Lee)
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