Taiwanese F-16V Crashes into Sea During Training Flight: Fleet Grounded

Pilot is reported missing and rescue operations are underway.

Defensemirror.com bureau
11:08 AM, January 7, 2026
4166

Taiwanese F-16V Crashes into Sea During Training Flight: Fleet Grounded

A Taiwanese Air Force F-16V fighter jet crashed off Taiwan’s eastern coast on Tuesday evening during a routine training mission.

According to Taiwan media, the single-seat F-16V (Block 20) took off from Hualien Air Base at around 6:17 p.m. for a nighttime training flight.

Contact with the aircraft was lost at about 7:29 p.m., roughly 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township in Hualien County.

The pilot is believed to have ejected before the aircraft crashed. He was identified as Capt. Hsin Po-yi, a 29-year-old pilot who had logged more than 600 flight hours, including over 370 hours on the F-16V. The F-16V fleet has been grounded pending an inquiry into the crash

Rescue operations involving the Air Force, Coast Guard, and airborne rescue teams are underway.

This incident follows a previous F-16V crash in January 2022, when a fighter jet went down off Taiwan’s west coast, killing its pilot.

Taiwanese F-16V Crashes into Sea During Training Flight: Fleet Grounded

Pilot is reported missing and rescue operations are underway.

U.S. F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in Yellow Sea; Pilot Rescued by South...

Taiwanese F-16A Fighter Jet Missing After Take-off

US F-16 fighter Jet crashes During Training Mission

One Month Since U.S., Israeli War Against Iran: Who Is Gaining?

Modern Tank Showdown: T-90MS, Leopard 2A7, M1E3 Abrams Compared

European Nations Prioritizing Europe-made IRIS-T & SAMP-T over American Patriot Air Defense Systems?

Russian T-90MS Crew Discuss Future Upgrades

China's Mass-produced J-35A Aircraft Set to Disrupt Global Stealth Fighter Market

The Future of Combat: Miniaturized Laser Weapons Set to Replace Bullets and Missiles