Taiwan grounds F-16 fighters as search continues for downed jet

Taiwan grounded its F-16 fleet after one of its F-16V aircraft disappeared after making a routine flight from a base in Chiayi. - AFP

TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwan grounded its F16 fleet as a search was underway to locate a fighter jet that plunged into the sea, the air force said on Tuesday (Jan 11).

The F-16V, one of Taiwan's most advanced fighter jets, disappeared from radar screens around half an hour after taking off for a routine training flight from a base in the city of Chiayi on Tuesday, the air force said.