Air Force Trainer Crashes, Two Pilots Killed; Prosecutors Inspect Gangshan Base

(CNA, Kaohsiung, June 2) A trainer aircraft crashed today during a simulated training mission at the Air Force Gangshan Base, resulting in the deaths of two pilots. The Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office stated that prosecutors, in coordination with the police, have arrived at the Air Force Flight Training Command in Gangshan to conduct an on-site inspection and forensic examination. According to the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office, Chief Prosecutors Shih Chia-jung and Cheng Tzu-wei, along with field prosecutor Hsu Ya-wen, have joined the investigation team from the Gangshan Precinct of the Kaohsiung City Police Department to carry out the inspection. It is understood that a T-34 trainer aircraft (tail number 3414) from the Gangshan Base, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Lu and Lieutenant Colonel Kuo, was performing a simulated engine failure training mission when it crashed at the north end of the runway around 8:00 AM. The Air Force has established a task force to clarify the cause of the accident.