Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said Taiwan’s Mirage fighters have been grounded for inspections. That’s after a Mirage 2000-5 crashed into the sea off of southeastern Taiwan on Monday during a routine training session. The Air Force has also suspended training sessions for its F-16 and IDF jets.
Lt. Col. Huang Chung-kai ejected safely out of the jet before the crash. He has some fluid in his lungs and is now recovering at the hospital.
Lawmakers expressed concern for the safety of Taiwan’s pilots and the frequency of accidents at the legislature on Tuesday. Minister Chiu said the accident was not due to any shortage of parts and the overall condition of the Mirage fleet is good. He said the availability rate, or “mission capable” rate is at 60%, which is good.
Chiu also said the military was considering upgrading or replacing the Mirage fleet that has been in service for 25 years. He said the Air Force will reform its training to make sure accidents like this won’t happen again.
On Monday, Air Force Chief Inspector Major General Liu Hui-chien said that a mechanical malfunction likely caused the crash of the Mirage-2000 fighter. It was on a routine flight off the coast of southeastern Taiwan when the pilot said its engine was not generating enough power to operate it safely. An investigation will be conducted once the jet’s wreckage has been recovered from the sea.
Monday's crash was the eighth accident involving Taiwan's Mirage 2000-5s since the Air Force began flying them in 1997. Of the eight incidents, there were six crashes that left five pilots dead. In the past two years, the military has had seven aircraft crashes, losing eight planes and helicopters and leaving 13 military dead.