A master sergeant died this morning after being sucked into an engine during a routine inspection of a fighter jet at an air base in Taichung, the Air Force Command Headquarters said.
The officer surnamed Hu (胡) was conducting final landing checks at Ching Chuan Kang (清泉崗) Air Base when she was sucked into the jet’s engine for unknown reasons, the air force said in a news release.
She was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment, but was unable to be revived, it said.
Photo: Taipei Times
The air force expressed its deepest sympathies over the incident, and vowed to work with authorities as they investigate.
It also vowed to assist Hu’s family with bereavement matters, and said it would conduct a thorough review to improve work procedures in the hopes of preventing a recurrence.
According to reports, Hu had served in the military for about 17 years.
The incident reportedly occurred when Hu was setting up wheel chocks to keep an Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) in place after it had landed.
An expert with knowledge of the matter expressed disbelief, saying in a private and anonymous capacity that the chance of a ground crew member being sucked in by an IDF engine is “miniscule.”
After the plane lands, the motor speed is on a slow “standby” rotation and should have stopped by the time wheel chocks were being deployed, they said, adding that there would not have been time to pick up speed fast enough to pull anyone in.
In addition, the engine intake opening on the IDF is relatively small, especially compared with the single-engine F-16, with two smaller engines on either side of the fuselage that would not be large enough to fit an adult person, they added.
The source also said it should not be difficult to investigate, as security cameras are installed in the hangar.
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