On the night of 30 January 2026, a Taiwanese F‑16 fighter jet belonging to the Fifth Tactical Air Wing based at Hualien Air Base disappeared over the waters off the island’s northeast coast. The aircraft, an older A/B model that Taiwan has upgraded in recent years, was operating in a nighttime training exercise when it lost contact with air traffic control. The pilot, Captain Hsin Po‑yi, was reported missing along with the aircraft.
Incident Details
According to the Ministry of Defense, the jet separated from its formation after the group entered cloud cover. Radar data indicated the aircraft was at an altitude of 1,700 feet when contact was lost. The pilot had signaled an intention to eject seconds before the aircraft vanished, but it remains unclear whether he successfully ejected. Search and rescue operations have been underway in the waters off Hualien County, but rough seas, high waves, and strong winds have hampered efforts to locate the aircraft and the pilot.
Response and Investigation
In the wake of the incident, Taiwanese air force officials grounded the entire F‑16 fleet for inspection and temporarily suspended all training missions. The force currently operates about 140 F‑16s, primarily older models that have been upgraded. Officials have identified a possible malfunction of the aircraft’s main onboard computer, which may have caused the flight path to become undisplayed. The investigation is ongoing, and the Ministry of Defense has not yet released a definitive cause for the loss of the jet.
Implications for Taiwan’s Air Force
Grounding the fleet and halting training missions is a precautionary measure that has precedent in the United States military and other air forces. Taiwan’s air force has faced increasing operational demands in recent years, with frequent incursions by Chinese military aircraft into its air defense identification zone. The strain on pilots, aircraft, and maintenance crews has led to higher operational tempos and rapid response drills in response to large‑scale exercises conducted by China nearby. The grounding of the F‑16 fleet adds to the challenges faced by Taiwan’s smaller air force as it seeks to maintain readiness while addressing potential technical issues.
Future Developments
Taiwan is expected to receive a batch of newer F‑16V or Viper jets in the coming years, which will augment the existing fleet. The Ministry of Defense has stated that inspections of the grounded aircraft will continue until a safety assessment is completed. Search and rescue operations for the missing pilot and aircraft are ongoing, with no definitive timeline for recovery. The air force has not yet announced when training missions will resume, but officials have indicated that the decision will depend on the outcome of the technical investigation and the results of the fleet inspection.
