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Initial crash probe rules out mechanical failure: defense minister

ROC Central News Agency

2011/09/15 20:52:01

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) An initial investigation ruled out mechanical failure as the cause of two military aircraft crashes in northeastern Taiwan's mountains earlier this week, Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said Thursday.

However, it has not yet been determined what caused the accidents, whether it was human error, bad weather or other factors, Kao said, adding that further investigation will be required.

The two aircraft, an F-5F twin-seater fighter and RF-5E reconnaissance plane, crashed in separate incidents Tuesday in the mountains of Yilan County during a nighttime training mission, initial investigations confirmed. The remains of the pilots and wreckage from the two planes were found Wednesday by search teams.

A senior Air Force inspector said Wednesday that the planes were flying in the right direction, with the reconnaissance plane in the lead, but were possibly slightly off course.

"There might have been a slight deviation but we don't know what caused it," said Caleb Po, an inspector general from the Air Force Command Headquarters.

Kao said the possibility of the two planes simultaneously developing mechanical failure was relatively low.

Moreover, he said, both planes had just taken part in an aviation show at the Songshan air base in Taipei earlier this month.

"At the time, both aircraft were in good condition and completed the exhibition flights without any glitches," he said. "Therefore, we have tentatively excluded mechanical failure as the cause of the crashes," Kao said.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has invited experts from the Aviation Safety Council and the Civil Aeronautics Administration, as well as academics in relevant fields, to join a special task force to investigate the cause of the accidents, he said.

"Once the investigations are complete, we will faithfully brief the public on the findings," the minister said.

As to whether the entire F-5 fleet should be grounded, Kao said it is a professional issue that should be decided on the basis of professional assessments.

Citing military figures, Kao said the F-5 fleet's availability rate remains above the bottom line.

"We should consider life span, performance upgrades and maintenance management in any decision on whether an aerial fleet should be grounded," he added.

Kao said he felt regret and distress at the tragic accidents.

"I deeply apologize to the public over the loss of the three pilots and two aircraft...The defense ministry will thoroughly examine the incident and get to the bottom of it," he added.

Military personnel went to the crash sites in the mountains of Yilan on Thursday to examine the wreckage and collect more debris for the probes into the cause of the crashes.

Family members of the three pilots also visited the crash sites to hold religious rituals for their loved ones. (By Kelvin Huang, Chen Pei-huang and Sofia Wu) enditem /pc