TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s military and Coast Guard continued searching for wreckage from the T-5 Brave Eagle jet trainer that crashed off the coast of Taitung on Saturday morning.

The search is focused on the Dulanbi (都蘭鼻) coastline and surrounding waters, but no debris has been recovered, delaying aviation officials' investigation into the crash, per CNA.

The Coast Guard has deployed patrol boats and drones to aid the search, though poor sea conditions have hampered efforts. If the fuselage is located, a civilian salvage company will be contracted to retrieve the wreckage, which could provide crucial data for flight safety investigators.

Preliminary speculation suggests a bird strike may have caused both engines to fail. Before each takeoff and landing at Zhihang Air Force Base, airport staff use loud noises and other methods to chase away birds.

The T-5 Brave Eagle was developed and produced in Taiwan. Following the incident, the entire fleet of approximately 40 jet trainers was grounded pending a review of accident data.

Meanwhile, the pilot, 34-year-old Air Force Major-in-Training Lin Wei (林瑋), is recovering at Taitung Mackay Hospital. His vital signs are stable, and he has only minor scratches.

Doctors said his latest X-ray showed no signs of pneumonia, and if his condition remains stable, he could be discharged as early as Monday.