Accident Sequence
The flight departed from Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek Airport. Four minutes after takeoff, while climbing to 5,000 feet, the crew declared an emergency after engine No. 3 separated from the right wing. Air traffic control instructed the crew to maintain flight level 050 and initiate a left turn, but the captain responded that this was not possible. The crew was then cleared to turn right. Two minutes later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on the slope of Mt Wuzu near Wanli, approximately 20 km northeast of Taipei. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all five crew members were killed. The accident occurred six minutes after takeoff.
Investigation Findings
It was determined that engine No. 3 detached during initial climb following the rupture of its pylon due to the presence of fatigue cracks. After engine No. 3 detached, it struck engine No. 4, which also separated. In such conditions, the crew was unable to maintain safe control of the aircraft. The last A-check maintenance programme was completed on December 21. It was also reported that a misunderstanding occurred between pilots and ATC, who misunderstood which engine was lost, thinking that the emergency related to a loss of engine No. 2.