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Minister apologizes for crashes

Members of the coast guard in Hualien yesterday unload part of the fuselage of an S-70C helicopter that crashed into the sea on Tuesday evening. PHOTO: YANG I-CHUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min (陳肇敏) yesterday apologized to the public over the crashes of an air force jet and a naval helicopter earlier this week.

On Monday, an Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft went missing near Maoyu island while on a training mission.

On Tuesday night, an anti-submarine helicopter crashed off Hualien, killing one crew member, injuring two and leaving two missing.

When approached by reporters in the Legislative Yuan, Chen said he felt “very sad” and “regretted” the incidents.

Chen said he had banned all military aircraft — except for those on regular patrol and rescue missions — from flying for three days until special inspections are completed and military ­personnel have undergone extraordinary flight safety sessions.

“The consecutive crashes have harmed the military’s manpower, resources and spirits,” Chen said. “The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has organized task forces to probe the incidents, search for survivors, treat the injured and comfort deceased personnel’s families.”

Chen added the task forces would also make inspection trips to all military bases in a bid to find out what needs to be done to improve safety and prevent similar incidents from happening.

Chen said he had emphasized to military personnel the importance of risk management since he assumed office.

“If my policy has proved problematic, I will take full responsibility [for it],” he said.

The Air Force yesterday said it had located the black box of the missing Taiwan-made IDF, while the Navy said it had collected parts of the crashed S-70C helicopter.

Colonel Chang Chao-kuei (張朝魁), spokesman for the Air Force Command Headquarters, said that DNA tests had been performed on body parts retrieved from the location where the IDF is thought to have crashed.

The Air Force said it was still searching for the two missing pilots from the IDF.

In Hualien, the Coast Guard said it had collected debris from the missing anti-submarine helicopter, but added they had not located the missing crew members.

“We received the notice of the alleged crash about 8:50pm on Tuesday and we immediately rushed to the scene,” said Yang Chao-ching (楊朝卿), lieutenant for the Coast Guard’s Hualien Headquarters.

“Unfortunately, we have yet to discover the two missing crew members from the helicopter,” Yang said.

The Naval Fleet Command Headquarters said that the helicopter was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Liu Shih-chen (劉世晨) with his co-pilot Captain Ou Shih-wen (歐世文), anti-submarine warfare officer Captain Huang Chi-sheng (黃吉生), anti-submarine warfare Master Chief Petty Officer Chu Chun-teh (朱俊德) and mechanic Master Sergeant Tang Chih-hsun (湯志勛) onboard.

Liu and Tang were rescued. Liu is in critical condition while Tang remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

Chu was found dead at the scene, while Ou and Huang were still missing, the MND said.
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