Taiwan continues search for missing pilot, F-16 jet on 3rd day after crash

By Girard Mariano Lopez

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AA) - Taiwan’s military on Thursday continued intensive search operations for a missing air force pilot after an F-16V fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the island’s eastern coast three days earlier.

The jet was taking part in a routine night training mission, and more than 40 hours have passed since the crash, according to military officials.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo rejected claims that a malfunction in the aircraft’s Modular Mission Computer caused the crash.

Preliminary reviews “showed no system malfunction or overload in the three months prior to the incident,” Koo told reporters.

He said investigators would rely on flight data and operational evidence rather than speculation as the probe continues, adding that he would brief lawmakers later on the findings.

A day earlier, Taiwanese Air Force Colonel Chou Ming-ching said the F-16V fighter jet went missing due to a malfunction in the aircraft’s main onboard computer.

Search efforts remain ongoing amid difficult sea conditions off Hualien County.

Authorities have deployed 30 aircraft sorties and two drones, while the navy and coast guard have dispatched 22 vessels to locate Air Force Captain Hsin, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Taipei first signed a deal with the US in 1992 to procure a fleet of 150 F-16 fighter jets. The first two aircraft later flew from the US to Taiwan and were assigned to Chiayi Air Base.