The clash is reported to have occurred off the coast of Pingtung South County during a group training flight. It was attended by four combat training aircraft. Two of them, some time after takeoff from the airbase, disappeared from the radar screens. Most likely, the fighters collided in the air.

Both pilots were able to eject, but one died at sea. The co-pilot is missing.

After the incident, the Air Force command ordered the suspension of all flights of obsolete F-5E aircraft. There are now about forty vehicles left in the Taiwan Air Force fleet. They are used to train pilots. The planes will be written off within two years.