Taiwan has grounded its Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation AT-3 advanced jet trainers following a mid-air collision that injured two aircrew and caused the loss of one aircraft.

The collision occurred on 4 February during a training flight to practise formation flying, the Republic of China Air Force said in a statement.

One aircraft returned to base safely, while the crew of the second aircraft ejected. The frontseat pilot suffered injuries that required hospitalisation and the backseat pilot suffered a fractured arm.

Taiwanese media reports indicated that operations involving the AT-3 fleet have been suspended pending an investigation into the incident. One report said the type has been involved in 12 accidents since its inception in the late 1980s, resulting in seven fatalities.

 AT-3 Thuder Tigers - Commercial Aviation on AirSpa

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Taiwan's AT-3 fleet includes aircraft flown by the air force's Thunder Tigers aerobatic display team 

Source: Flight International