Aviation News – Taiwan has launched a major search and rescue operation after a Republic of China Air Force F-16V fighter jet crashed into the sea off Hualien County during a nighttime training mission. The incident matters as it involves a frontline aircraft and highlights the risks of routine military operations.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense said the single-seat F-16V Block 20, serial number 6700, belonged to the 5th Tactical Fighter Wing and departed Hualien Air Base at 18:17 local time on January 6, 2026. An in-flight anomaly was reported at 19:29 about 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township, after which contact was lost. Authorities believe the pilot, Captain Hsin Po-yi, may have ejected, but he remained unaccounted for at the time of the latest update.
The F-16V is an upgraded variant equipped with advanced avionics and radar, widely used by Taiwan to bolster air defense readiness. Night training missions are a core bolt of pilot proficiency, but they also carry higher operational risk due to limited visibility and demanding flight conditions.