The Republic of China Air Force announced that on the evening of September 8, at 7:37 PM, an unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted operating around the airport vicinity in Taichung Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, affecting flight safety. During this period, the activities of the drone impacted two civilian flights and eight military aircraft, prompting the Air Force to request an investigation by the Aviation Police Bureau.
In a press release issued late on the 8th by the Republic of China Air Force Command, it was stated that the drone activity near the airport in Ching Chuan Kang Air Base posed a threat to flight safety, leading to an immediate notification to the Aviation Police Bureau and air traffic control units to take appropriate actions, including temporarily suspending aircraft takeoffs and landings.
After confirming that the drone had left the restricted airspace, flight operations resumed at 8:02 PM on the 8th, with two civilian flights and eight military aircraft being affected during the suspension.
The Air Force Command emphasized that operating drones within restricted airspace is illegal and endangers flight safety, leading to the involvement of the Aviation Police Bureau in the investigation.
Under Article 118-2 of the Taiwan Civil Aviation Act, flying remote-controlled drones in prohibited or restricted airspace can result in fines ranging from 30,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) to 150,000 NTD, with the possibility of confiscating the drone for serious violations.