Taiwan: Taiwan’s Air Force has identified a computer malfunction as a key factor in the disappearance of an F-16V fighter jet and its pilot, Air Force Captain Hsin Po-yi. The aircraft went missing on Tuesday, sparking an ongoing search and investigation into the incident.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Air Force explained that the incident was likely connected to a failure in the aircraft’s main onboard computer. Col. Chou Ming-ching, commander of the 27th Squadron under the Air Force’s 5th Tactical Mixed Wing, noted that the malfunction prevented the display of the jet’s flight path, leaving the pilot without crucial information regarding the aircraft’s attitude.

An anonymous online post by a self-described F-16 flight instructor suggested that the modular mission computers (MMCs) on Taiwan’s F-16 jets have been unstable since the Peace Phoenix Rising program, which upgraded 141 F-16 Block 20 aircraft to the F-16V specification. Lt. Col. Ting Wei-hsuan, responsible for maintenance at the 5th Tactical Mixed Wing, confirmed that the pilot had reported an MMC malfunction during the mission.

Ting clarified that, despite the malfunction, maintenance records for the aircraft, tail number 6700, indicated no recent need for repairs to the MMC. He acknowledged that the Air Force has logged MMC malfunctions post-upgrade and has shared this data with the United States to expedite software updates aimed at enhancing system reliability.

Addressing potential factors contributing to the incident, Air Force Inspector General Chiang Yi-cheng mentioned that spatial disorientation could not be entirely dismissed. As a preventive measure, the Air Force has temporarily suspended F-16V training flights pending further inspections of the aircraft.

Chiang also announced that F-16V pilots will receive additional training, including simulator sessions focusing on standard procedures for handling spatial disorientation, unexpected aircraft behavior, and nighttime operations.