F-16 fighter disappeared in Taiwan. This was reported by the local Department of National Defense at Twitter .
It is known that the fighter disappeared from the radar screen on the evening of November 17. The island’s armed forces dispatched a search and rescue force to the area where an experienced pilot last contacted. The South China Morning Post clarifies that it took only two minutes from take-off to the likely crash.
It is noted that after the loss of communication, the leadership of Taiwan temporarily suspended flights of all 46 F-16 aircraft for verification. It is known that since 1997, the island, which is de facto not controlled by China and claims to be independent, has lost at least seven such fighters.
In July, a US Air Force F-16 fighter crashed while landing in New Mexico. The pilot had to eject. The pilot then received minor injuries.