Mirage 2000 Down: Night Training Turns Deadly, Fleet Grounded for Urgent Inspection

Mirage Fighter Plane Crashes into Sea During Night Flight Training

Flying Officer Captain Xie Peixun was flying a Mirage fighter plane when it crashed into the sea during a night flight training on the evening of the 10th. Fortunately, the crew successfully ejected and was taken to hospital for treatment. Colonel Qi Yutang, director of political warfare for the Air Force’s 2nd Tactical Fighter Wing, said on the 11th that the Phantom fighters at the Hsinchu base are currently grounded for maintenance.

According to the Air Force Command, the Mirage 2000 aircraft (single seater, serial number 2047) piloted by Xie Peixun of the Air Force’s Second Wing took off from Hsinchu Base at 8:35 p.m. on the 10th for night flight training. However, it was discovered that the power had failed, and the crew immediately ejected and parachuted.

After the incident, the Air Force said it ordered an immediate search and rescue and dispatched an S-70C and a C-130 aircraft to the sea from Hsinchu at 8:52 and 9:3 that night, respectively, for search and rescue. The mission to find Xie Peixun was easily completed, thanks to the help and support of the task force.

Qiu Yutang conducted a telephone interview with a reporter from the Central News Agency today and noted that currently, the Mirage fighter jets will be fully grounded for regular inspections, and subsequent investigations and other related actions will be explained by the Air Force Command.