The Han Kuang Exercise commenced today (4th), during which an F-16 fighter jet took off from Hualien and went missing at 1:43 p.m. in the airspace near Keelung. Hikers reported finding "a significant amount of aircraft wreckage approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station." The debris is suspected to be from an F-16 crash, and the fire department continues to search for the missing pilot in the surrounding area.

A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)

The fire department stated that at a location 3 kilometers along the Wufenshan Radar Station trail, the main parachute of the aircraft and skid marks were discovered. The exact impact site is still being determined, and the smell of fuel has been detected nearby. Additionally, a drag parachute believed to be from the fighter jet was found at the scene, but the pilot has not yet been located, and search efforts by the fire brigade are ongoing.

The New Taipei City Fire Department reported that a total of 22 vehicles, 67 police and firefighters, and 3 volunteer firefighters have been deployed for the rescue operation. In addition, 2 search dogs and 1 drone have been dispatched to assist in the search.

A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)
A large amount of aircraft wreckage found approximately 3 kilometers along the hiking trail near the Wufenshan Radar Station. (Provided by a member of the public)

The Air Force Command stated that an F-16 single-seat fighter jet (tail number 6685), belonging to the Hualien base, took off at 1:09 p.m. piloted by Major Wu Yanting to carry out a training mission in the northern airspace. At 1:43 p.m., the aircraft’s signal disappeared over the mountainous area near Cukeng in Keelung. The military has activated search and rescue mechanisms and is conducting an all-out effort to locate the jet.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of the General Staff immediately took their positions at the Joint Operations Command Center and the Air Force Command Center, respectively. They promptly ordered the activation of the rescue mechanism, initiating urgent land and air search and rescue operations. Additionally, the Office of the Inspector General of the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force Command have been tasked with forming a special investigation team to determine the cause of the incident and to reinforce training safety measures.

(China Times)