Air Force T-34 trainer crashes, killing 2 pilots; scene footage revealed
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Two Air Force pilots were killed when their T-34 trainer aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung.
- The aircraft was reportedly performing a simulated engine failure training mission at the time of the accident.
- The crash scattered debris across the field, indicating a powerful impact, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Two pilots from Taiwan's Air Force have died after their T-34 trainer aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung.
The incident occurred this morning as the pilots, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Lu and Lieutenant Colonel Kuo, were conducting a training mission simulating engine failure. The aircraft reportedly fell near the northern end of the runway.
Images from the scene show aircraft parts scattered across a grassy field, with white smoke rising, suggesting a forceful impact. The severity of the crash is evident from the debris field.
A special investigation team has been dispatched to determine the exact cause of the accident. Both pilots were on duty, flying a T-34 trainer aircraft as part of their training regimen when the fatal incident occurred.
This is a developing story, and further details regarding the cause of the crash and the backgrounds of the pilots are expected as the investigation progresses.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.