Pilot survives Brave Eagle aircraft crash in Taiwan's eastern waters

A Brave Eagle training aircraft crashed in eastern Taiwan near the city of Taidong on February 15 morning, marking the first major mishap for the AT-5 Brave Eagle aircraft.

The incident occurred at 8:40 AM local time when both engines of the aircraft failed shortly after takeoff, Caliber.Az reports referencing foreign media.

The pilot, identified as Lin, ejected from the plane using a parachute and safely landed in the waters off Dulan, Taitung County.

Following the crash, local fishing boats, the Coast Guard Administration, and the National Airborne Service Corps launched a rescue operation.

The military later confirmed that the pilot was rescued and transported to the Mackay Memorial Hospital Taitung Branch for medical evaluation.

The Brave Eagle, manufactured by Taiwan's state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp, is a crucial part of Taiwan’s military training fleet. The aircraft program has a total budget of NT$68.6 billion ($2.1 billion).

By Tamilla Hasanova