Two Pilots Killed in Taiwan Air Force Trainer Jet Crash During Test Flight

A T-34C primary trainer aircraft crashed at Taiwan's Gangshan Air Base in Kaohsiung on Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of both pilots aboard. The incident occurred around 8:08 AM as the aircraft was conducting a "simulated engine failure in the landing pattern" test.

The ill-fated flight involved Lieutenant Colonel Lu Chi-yu, the instructor pilot, and Lieutenant Colonel Kuo Chun-nan, the examiner. The aircraft had taken off from Runway 36 at the base for its fifth test run when the accident happened. Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after, and the fire was extinguished by 8:53 AM.

Tragically, both pilots were found deceased inside the cockpit. One body was recovered from the wreckage late Tuesday afternoon, with both victims' families arriving at the Kaohsiung Municipal Mortuary later that day for identification and autopsy procedures.

Eyewitnesses near the air base reported seeing thick smoke billowing from the facility early Tuesday morning. One person, who was riding a motorcycle past the base, noticed the smoke and immediately suspected an accident. Upon approaching, they realized the incident was contained within the base perimeter. The Air Force Command confirmed the details of the test and the subsequent crash.

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When I saw the thick smoke from afar early in the morning, I immediately felt something was wrong.