Taiwan’s air force has suspended training missions for its F-16 fleet and ordered maintenance and inspections while a pilot remains missing after reportedly parachuting from one of the fighter jets.
Hsin graduated from the island’s Air Force Academy in 2019. The Taiwanese air force said he had logged more than 611 flight hours and the aircraft had accrued 3,894 flight hours.
Taiwan’s air force and coastguard activated emergency responses after Hsin went missing, sending three vessels and six boats for the rescue efforts. Due to severe sea conditions, low temperatures and high waves, nearby cargo ships and fishing vessels were also contacted for help, according to the coastguard.
Central News Agency said marker buoys had been placed in the area where the pilot was suspected to have landed to estimate his probable location and track ocean currents.
