TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Air Force located the underwater position of an F-16 fighter jet that crashed into the sea Monday (Jan. 6) and is seeking international assistance for deep-sea recovery. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) announced the development in his social media post on Thursday (Jan. 15). The pilot remains missing despite ongoing search operations.
Capt. Hsin Po-yi (辛柏毅) lost control of the F-16 due to G-induced loss of consciousness but regained control at 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) and ejected safely. His whereabouts remain unknown despite continuous search operations by the Coast Guard Administration (CGA, 海巡署) and National Airborne Service Corps (NASC, 空中勤務總隊). Civilian aircraft have joined government rescue efforts to locate the missing pilot in the waters off Taiwan's coast.
Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), head of the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC, 海洋委員會), a government maritime agency, highlighted on Jan. 13 relentless search efforts by the CGA operating day and night in her Facebook post. The National Academy of Marine Research (NAMR, 國家海洋研究院) deployed sonar equipment to locate the aircraft's black box, with preliminary data suggesting a possible location. Equipment remains stationed in Hualien, a coastal city, with personnel on standby to provide further support.
Kuan emphasized the dual approach in the search and rescue mission, with the CGA focusing on surface searches and NAMR conducting underwater detection. She stated the government will not give up hope, underscoring the determination of all involved parties to continue search efforts. Authorities maintain round-the-clock operations to locate the missing pilot and recover the aircraft. ◼