TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Specialized vessels detected intermittent signals from the black box of a missing F-16V fighter jet, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) revealed on Monday (Jan. 12). Poor sea conditions have hindered further investigation into the signals. Pilot Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) disappeared on Monday (Jan. 6) after his F-16V crashed during a night training mission from Hualien Air Base, a military installation on Taiwan's eastern coast. Search and rescue operations for Hsin remain ongoing as teams await improved weather to confirm the signal source.
The Navy and Coast Guard have deployed 62 ships and 16 drones, with 1,206 personnel conducting searches along the coastline from Hualien to Taitung, two counties on Taiwan's eastern seaboard. Minister Koo said teams will work to confirm the source of the black box signals once weather conditions improve. The massive search operation spans a significant stretch of Taiwan's rugged eastern coastline, where strong currents and deep waters complicate recovery efforts.
In a separate effort, members of a Facebook page called Taiwan ADIZ rented a fishing boat from Shih-t'i Fishing Harbor (石梯漁港) and navigated northeast, away from military search areas. The civilian volunteers discovered what appeared to be oil slicks and reported their findings to the Ministry of National Defense (國防部) and the Coast Guard Administration (海巡署). Authorities are investigating whether the oil slicks are connected to the missing aircraft.
Before the crash, Hsin reported over the radio, "Two lost," indicating a loss of formation in the clouds. His altitude dropped from 7,600 feet (approximately 2,316 meters) to 1,700 feet (approximately 518 meters) before the radar signal vanished at 7:28:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any potential sightings or debris to assist the ongoing search operation. ◼