Taiwan grounded its F-16 jets on Tuesday after a F-16V fighter jet went missing over the sea off western Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon.
The jet was conducting a training exercise when it disappeared from radar screens at 3:26 about a half hour after the pilot, Captain Chen Yi, took off from Chiayi Air Base.
Safety checks will be conducted on all of Taiwan's 140 F-16 jets. The jets are currently being upgraded into F-16Vs.
Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang said that all relevant agencies are working to search for and rescue the pilot. An investigation will also be made to clarify the cause.
Another pilot and a Chiayi resident have reported seeing the jet crash into the sea near Aogu Wetland in Chiayi's Dongshi Township.
The Air Force said the jet had performed well over the past six months, with the latest safety check carried out in late December.
Taiwan’s Air Force has set aside a budget of NT$110 billion (nearly US$4 billion) to upgrade 141 F-16 A/Bs to F-16Vs (Block2). There have been eight major accidents involving F-16s in Taiwan since 1998.