AT-5 Brave Eagle trainer crashes off Taiwan due to engine failure

In a report by Taipei Times on February 17, retired Republic of China Air Force Lieutenant General Chang Yen-ting and Shu Hsiao-huang suggested that "a broken fan blade from one of the plane's two engines accidentally hitting the other could have been a potential cause." They noted that bird strikes or similar incidents were unlikely to affect both engines simultaneously unless both were hit.

This ejection marked the 7777th life saved by Martin-Baker using their X12J Ejection Seat, known for its adaptability across various speeds and altitudes. The seat is also used in Harrier variants and the F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo fighter jet.

Taiwan's air force relies on a robust training pipeline supported by reliable trainers like the AT-5 Brave Eagle, aiming to replace older models like the AT-3 and F-5 jets from previous decades. With increasing incursions into Taiwan’s airspace by China's air forces, maintaining operational readiness remains crucial.

Taiwan continues to face geopolitical tensions with China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan despite no formal declaration of independence from Taipei. In response, Taiwan's air force is bolstering its capabilities with upgrades like enhanced F-16Vs while preparing for potential threats.

The crash represents an anomaly amid these efforts, with speculation pointing toward mechanical failure as a possible cause. Ensuring fleet readiness remains a priority as Taiwan addresses ongoing challenges in its air defense strategy.