Breaking: crash RoCAF AT-3

On 31 May 2022, at 08:03 hrs LT, a Chung-Hua Min Guo Kong Jun (RoCAF, Republic of China Air Force) AIDC AT-3 Tzu Chung jet trainer crashed in southern Taiwan around eight kilometres north-east of Gangshan air base. Unfortunately the pilot, Lt Hsu Ta-chun, died in the accident.

The trainer, serial 0852/77-6052, was operated by the Fighter Training Group/Air Force Academy from Gangshan air base. According to a preliminary investigation, five AT-3s conducted exercises near Tainan City's Xigang District.

When they returned, only four returned safely, and they soon realised one of the trainers was missing.

Design of the AT-3 jet trainer began in 1975, with a conventional low-wing configuration with a tricycle undercarriage, tandem seat cockpit, and twin turbofans mounted in nacelles on either side of the fuselage.

After the design was approved in 1978, two prototypes were produced. The first aircraft rolled out on 17 July 1980, and made its maiden flight on 16 September 1980. Further evaluation resulted in a contract for 61 AT-3As for the RoCAF. The AT-3s will be replaced by the T-5 Yung Ying (Brave Eagle) advanced jet trainer (AJT).

According to the Scramble Magazine database the RoCAF currently has 46 operational AT-3s in her inventory.

Fourteen aircraft were lost in accidents and two aircraft are preserved. From one of the two prototypes the current whereabouts is unknown.

The following aircraft were lost:

0804/73-6004 w/o 14oct92
0805/7.-6005 w/o 12jun95
0809/74-6009 w/o 03feb12
0815/75-6015 w/o 21oct14
0826/75-6026 w/o 04sep98
0827/75-6027 w/o 11jun03
0831/76-6031 w/o 23apr91
0833/76-6033 w/o 27jun97
0837/76-6037 w/o 06sep90
0843/76-6043 w/o 28feb96
0850/77-6050 w/o 26jan94
0851/77-6051 w/o 22sep15
0852/77-6052 w/o 31may22
0858/77-6058 w/o 07nov94

We also have two more AT-3 w/o dates, but no tie-up. If ypu have information, please let us know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
These dates are 26jan93 and ..jul97 (might be 0833 which crashed on 27jun97

Photos via Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau, Tsungfang Tsai and Jurgen van Toor