A TransAsia Airways aircraft with 58 people on board, en route from the Taiwanese capital Taipei to Kinmen, crashes into the Keelung River just after take-off, killing at least 31 people.

The Legacy and Closure of TransAsia Airways (TNA)

TransAsia Airways, formally known as Fuhsing Airlines or Foshing Airlines (traditional Chinese: 復興航空; simplified Chinese: 复兴航空; pinyin: Fùxīng Hángkōng) until January 1992, was a significant Taiwanese airline headquartered in the Neihu District of Taipei. Established in 1951, TransAsia was among the first private airlines in Taiwan, initially playing a crucial role in developing the island's domestic air travel network. This early focus saw it connect major cities and remote islands across Taiwan, facilitating both business and tourism.

Over the decades, TransAsia Airways evolved beyond its domestic roots. By the time of its eventual closure, the airline had expanded its operations to include a comprehensive network of scheduled international flights. Its primary international focus was on key destinations across Southeast and Northeast Asia, alongside a politically and economically vital segment: cross-strait flights. These direct routes between Taiwan and mainland China, which became increasingly common in the 2000s, were a major part of the airline's strategic expansion, reflecting the growing ties across the Taiwan Strait.

However, TransAsia Airways' journey came to an abrupt end. The airline suspended all operations and announced its indefinite shutdown on 22 November 2016. This drastic decision was a direct consequence of a catastrophic period for the company, marked by two devastating hull loss incidents that occurred within a short span of seven months. Adding to its financial woes and operational challenges, its dedicated low-cost carrier subsidiary, V Air, which had been operational since 2014, had already ceased its own operations just a month prior, in October 2016, underscoring the severe pressures facing the TransAsia group.

Tragic Accidents Leading to Closure

The closure of TransAsia Airways was inextricably linked to a series of critical safety failures, notably two major crashes that severely eroded public trust and financial viability. These incidents, occurring in quick succession, highlighted significant underlying issues within the airline's operational safety protocols.

TransAsia Airways Flight 235: The Keelung River Crash

TransAsia Airways Flight 235 was a scheduled domestic service from Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) to Kinmen Airport (KNH) on the island of Kinmen (also known as Quemoy), a small but strategically important island just off the coast of mainland China. On 4 February 2015, the flight's aircraft, a relatively new 10-month-old ATR 72-600 twin-turboprop, crashed into the Keelung River only minutes after departing from Taipei Songshan Airport. The crash site was approximately 5.4 km (3.4 miles; 2.9 nautical miles) east of the bustling urban airport.

The events leading to the crash unfolded rapidly. Merely two minutes after taking off, as the aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 1,510 feet (460 meters), the pilots reported an engine flameout in the right engine. Tragically, in a critical error that was later determined to be a primary cause of the accident by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB, formerly Aviation Safety Council), the flight crew mistakenly shut down the working left engine instead of the failed right one. With both engines now non-operational, the aircraft lost all power and began an uncontrolled descent.

In its final moments, as it plummeted towards the river, Flight 235 banked sharply left, its left wing clipping a taxi vehicle traveling west on the Huandong Viaduct, a major elevated roadway. This impact caused injuries to two individuals in the taxi. The wing then struck the viaduct structure itself before the aircraft plunged into the Keelung River below, ultimately resulting in the tragic loss of 43 lives from the 58 individuals (53 passengers and 5 crew members) on board. Only 15 individuals survived the catastrophic event.

TransAsia Airways Flight 222: The Penghu Disaster

The Flight 235 disaster was the second fatal accident involving a TransAsia Airways ATR aircraft within a harrowing seven-month period, pointing to a systemic safety issue. The first was TransAsia Airways Flight 222, which crashed on 23 July 2014. This flight was also a domestic service, originating from Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) and destined for Magong Airport (MZG) on Penghu Island, located in the Taiwan Strait.

Flight 222, also operated by an ATR 72-500, attempted a second landing approach during adverse weather conditions significantly influenced by Typhoon Matmo. The aircraft crashed into a residential area near Magong Airport, tragically killing 48 of the 58 people onboard (54 passengers and 4 crew members). The back-to-back tragedies, particularly involving the same aircraft type and within such a short timeframe, severely damaged TransAsia's reputation, led to intense scrutiny from aviation authorities, and profoundly impacted public confidence in the airline, ultimately contributing to its financial collapse.

Impact and Aftermath: Why TransAsia Ceased Operations

The cumulative effect of Flight 222 and Flight 235 proved insurmountable for TransAsia Airways. The immense costs associated with the accidents, including compensation, investigations, and legal challenges, coupled with a drastic decline in passenger bookings due to widespread safety concerns, led to severe financial distress. Despite attempts to rebuild confidence and implement stricter safety protocols, the public's perception and the airline's economic viability were irrevocably damaged. The indefinite suspension of operations on 22 November 2016 marked the end of TransAsia Airways' 65-year history, leaving a significant void in Taiwan's aviation landscape and serving as a stark reminder of the critical importance of aviation safety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What was TransAsia Airways?
TransAsia Airways (TNA) was a Taiwanese airline established in 1951, initially focusing on domestic routes before expanding to international and cross-strait flights. It was one of Taiwan's oldest private airlines before its closure in 2016.
Why did TransAsia Airways cease operations?
TransAsia Airways ceased operations indefinitely on 22 November 2016, primarily due to the severe financial and reputational damage caused by two major hull loss accidents – Flight 222 in July 2014 and Flight 235 in February 2015 – which led to a significant loss of public trust and passenger bookings.
What were the key factors in the TransAsia Airways Flight 235 crash?
The investigation into Flight 235 found that a critical human error was the primary cause: the flight crew mistakenly shut down the aircraft's single working engine after the other engine experienced a flameout, leading to a complete loss of power and subsequent crash.
How many fatal accidents did TransAsia Airways have before its closure?
TransAsia Airways experienced two highly publicized fatal hull loss accidents involving its ATR aircraft within a seven-month period prior to its closure: Flight 222 in July 2014 and Flight 235 in February 2015. Both incidents resulted in significant fatalities.