•Publication Date：09/14/2011
•Source： Taiwan Today
•By Aaron Hsu
An ROC air force F-5F fighter and RF-5E reconnaissance plane crashed in the mountains of northeastern Taiwan’s Yilan County around 8 p.m. Sept. 13, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
The MND said the planes, on a routine training mission, took off from an air force base in Hualien at 7:39 p.m., flew northeast along the Yilan coast and then headed inland to conduct nighttime investigation training, but disappeared from radar screens at 7:52 p.m.
The MND mobilized more than one hundred troops and hovering Sikorsky S-70C aircraft to help with the rescue. Some remains of the pilots and debris from the planes were found in the morning Sept. 14 along the 116-kilometer section of the Suao-Hualien Highway, where witnesses had seen two planes crash into the mountains.
According to the MND, Lieutenant Colonel Chang Chien-kuo and Major Wang Hong-hsiang piloted the two-seat F-5F, while Captain Hsiao Wen-min flew the RF-5E alone.
MND spokesman Lo Shao-ho said Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu had expressed deep regret over the accident, and directed that the pilots’ families be given all possible comfort and assistance, rescue operations continue unabated and a task force be formed to investigate the crashes.
MND records show that over the past 36 years, Taiwan has lost 34 F-5F fighters in accidents. Reasons include engine malfunction and obsolete mechanical parts, among others.
Sources familiar with the matter said 36 F-5Fs remain in routine service for the military, with the newest more than 25 years old.
The ministry has extended their retirement date from 2014 to 2019, however, as a result of the government’s setback in purchasing F16C/D jet fighters from the U.S., sources added.
To strengthen Taiwan’s air operational capability and national defense, ROC President Ma Ying-jeou has repeatedly called for the F16C/Ds sales. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal July 28, Ma reiterated the need for F16C/Ds instead of F16A/B upgrades.
In related news, U.S. Senator John Cornyn proposed a bill Sept. 12—the Taiwan Airpower Modernization Act of 2011—requesting the federal government sell 66 F16C/D aircraft to Taiwan.
