Seven jets from the Air Force’s Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team flew over the funeral of Chuang Pei-yuan Saturday to pay tribute to the late AT-3 jet trainer pilot. Chuang died in a crash last month after he tried to maneuver his aircraft clear of residential areas to avoid endangering the lives of others following a mid-air collision with another aircraft.
Chuang’s funeral was held at the Air Force Academy in the southern city of Kaohsiung. President Ma Ying-jeou attended the funeral and presented a presidential citation to the pilot’s father in recognition of the late pilot’s contribution.
Defense minister Yen Ming also attended the funeral and presented a military medal and a certificate to Chuang’s family in honor of the deceased.
Chuang’s plane crashed in a field in Kaohsiung in October. The crash saw no other casualties except for Chuang. An Air Force task force has been looking into the cause of the crash.