Advanced new Taiwan jet trainer crashes in setback for programme

15/2/2025 11:55

One of the Taiwan air force's new, domestically developed advanced jet trainer aircraft crashed on Saturday after reporting engine failure, though the crew safely bailed out, the military said, in a setback for the programme.



The AT-5 Brave Eagle, made by state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp with a budget of T$68.6 billion ($2.1 billion), had its first test flight in 2020.



Taiwan's air force said the aircraft took off from the Chihhang air base in Taitung on the island's east coast and then reported the failure of both its engines. The crew parachuted to safety and were rescued, it added.



An investigation team has been set up, the air force said in its statement.



It is the first such accident since the AT-5 began being handed over to the air force in 2021.