A Taiwanese F-16 fighter jet crashed into the sea off the island’s eastern coast during a routine training mission on Tuesday, triggering an urgent search-and-rescue operation for the pilot.
According to Republic of China Air Force, the single-seat aircraft took off from Hualien Air Base at 6:17 p.m. local time. The flight was reported to be proceeding normally before contact with the jet was lost later in the evening.
Pilot believed to have ejected
“At 7:29 p.m., the pilot was suspected to have ejected about 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township in Hualien County,” the Air Force said in a statement carried by CNA News.
Military officials have not disclosed the cause of the crash or the condition of the aircraft prior to the incident.
Search and rescue operation underway
A Taiwanese F-16 fighter jet crashed into the sea during a training mission off the island’s eastern coast, triggering a large-scale search for the pilot. Authorities say the pilot is believed to have ejected. #Taiwan #F16 #BreakingNews #MilitaryAviation #WorldNews pic.twitter.com/2iIrPqTmXA
— LoudFact News 📰 (@loudfactcom) January 6, 2026
The Air Force said it immediately launched a large-scale search-and-rescue effort, deploying three large vessels and six smaller boats to the area.
“The Air Force immediately established an emergency response centre and launched a search operation,” the statement said.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai has instructed the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration to join the rescue mission. Nearby fishing vessels operating in the area have also been asked to assist, according to Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee.
F-16s central to Taiwan’s defence strategy
The incident comes as Taiwan continues to modernise its air force, with the F-16 forming a core part of its defensive capability amid heightened regional tensions.
Taiwan has ordered 66 new F-16V fighter jets from the United States, an upgraded version of its older F-16 A/B fleet. The island completed upgrades of 141 older F-16 aircraft to the F-16V standard in late 2023, aimed at improving radar performance, combat capability, and aircraft survivability.
Investigation expected
The Air Force has said an investigation will be launched once search-and-rescue operations are concluded. No timeline has been provided for further updates.
