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Taiwanese air force officer killed in accident involving jet engine at Taichung air base

A tragic accident at Taiwan’s Ching Chuan Kang air base claimed the life of an air force officer, who was sucked into a jet engine during routine checks. Taiwan’s military vows a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents.

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TAIWAN: A Taiwanese air force officer lost her life in a tragic accident involving a fighter jet at Ching Chuan Kang air base in Taichung on Tuesday, 21 January.

The incident occurred during routine post-flight maintenance of an Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft.

The officer, identified as a 41-year-old master sergeant surnamed Hu (胡), was performing final checks on the aircraft when, for reasons still under investigation, she was pulled into the engine intake.

She was immediately transported to a hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, the Taiwanese air force confirmed in a press release.

The air force expressed its deepest condolences and pledged full cooperation with investigative authorities.

“In addition to cooperating with prosecutorial and constitutional authorities in collecting evidence and conducting legal investigations, we will fully assist the officer’s family in handling the aftermath,” the statement read.

The accident occurred in a hangar shared by the air base and Taichung International Airport.

Local media reports indicate that Master Sergeant Hu had been placing wheel chocks under the IDF aircraft as part of routine post-landing procedures when the accident occurred.

Aviation safety experts have noted that such incidents are exceedingly rare due to strict safety protocols in place for ground operations.

Hu had served in the Taiwanese military for approximately 17 years, according to reports.

The air force has pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of its procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

“We will carry out a thorough review to improve flight procedures to ensure such an incident does not happen again,” the air force added.

The Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) involved in the incident is a locally developed aircraft, built in the 1980s to replace ageing U.S.-designed F-104 and F-5 jets.

Known for its role in maintaining Taiwan’s air defence capabilities, the IDF is frequently used in drills and readiness exercises.

Earlier this month, Ching Chuan Kang air base hosted emergency takeoff and nighttime training exercises to enhance the combat readiness of its IDF units.

The accident comes at a time of heightened military tensions between Taiwan and China.

The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having governed it, and has refused to renounce the use of force to achieve unification.

In recent years, Chinese military forces have escalated patrols and exercises near Taiwan, including manoeuvres interpreted as invasion rehearsals.

Taiwan, a key security partner of the United States, continues to enhance its military capabilities to counter potential threats.

The self-ruled island is also the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductors, a vital sector for global consumer electronics and defence technology.

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