Search and rescue operations continue after a pilot is believed to have
ejected from an F-16V fighter jet yesterday evening.

The aircraft took off from the Hualien Air Base at 6:17PM on a routine
night-time training mission and lost contact at 7:29PM.

The F-16V was operating some 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township at
the time.

The Air Force says it established an emergency response center and launched a
search and rescue operation immediately after the aircraft disappeared from
radar.

The Coast Guard Administration said it sent two patrol boats to the area and
they deployed surface current-based buoys in order to better detect the crash
site and the area where the pilot may have ejected from.

A total of nine coast guard and Navy vessels are reportedly currently
involved in the search operation and are are being helped by aerial support.

Authorities also say nearby cargo ships and fishing vessels were contacted
for assistance.

The pilot has been identified as Hsin Po-yi and the Air Force says he had a
total flight time of 611 hours, including 371 hours flying F-16Vs.