TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Air Force Command Headquarters said Saturday it has resumed T-34 flight training after completing inspections following a fatal crash earlier this month.
A T-34C basic trainer crashed on June 2 north of the runway at Gangshan Air Force Base in Kaohsiung, 21 minutes after takeoff during a simulated engine failure exercise. The accident killed both people on board: 46-year-old examiner Kuo Chun-nan (過俊男) and 41-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Lu Chi-yu (盧季佑), according to LTN and CNA.
In response, the Air Force conducted inspections of key aircraft systems and reinforced safety measures through additional classroom instruction, flight training and simulator exercises. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The T-34 has served as the Air Force’s primary trainer since entering service in 1985. Under standard training procedures, cadets occupy the front seat while instructors sit in the rear.
The aircraft is not equipped with ejection seats. According to publicly available data, the Air Force has recorded 13 T-34-related accidents since its introduction, resulting in 12 fatalities.
A joint memorial service for Kuo and Lu will be held on Wednesday at the Air Force Academy, with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), senior Ministry of National Defense officials, and Air Force commanders expected to attend. A memorial formation flight will be conducted in their honor as a final military tribute, according to UDN.
