Two Taiwanese air force pilots died on Tuesday when their propeller-driven T-34 training aircraft crashed in Kaohsiung City.
The T-34 trainer crashed shortly after 8 am (midnight GMT) north of the Gangshan Air Force Base, the state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
The two pilots, both with extensive experience in flying the T-34 trainer, were engaged in a training exercise on coping with engine malfunctions in flight when the accident took place, according to the Air Force Command of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence.
The air force has set up a task force to investigate the reasons for the crash, CNA reported.
Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed his regrets and condolences to the families of the two pilots on behalf of the nation, while President Lai Ching-te told reporters at the COMPUTEX 2026 exhibition in Taipei City that he had instructed the Ministry of National Affairs to provide full assistance to the families.
