China Airlines Flight 358

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China Airlines Flight 358 was a Boeing 747-2R7F freighter plane that crashed on December 29, 1991 shortly after takeoff from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. During climbout the crew reported problems with the #2 engine, and air traffic control vectored the flight into a left turn to return to the airport. About two minutes later, the crew reported that they were unable to turn left, and air traffic control approved a right-hand turn instead. No further contact was made with the crew. The crew lost control of the airplane and it struck a hill, right wing first, near Wanli. All 5 crewmembers were killed; there were no injuries on the ground.

Investigation of the wreckage revealed that the #3 engine and its pylon had separated from the airplane. During the separation, the #3 engine struck the #4 engine, which also separated from the airplane. A more detailed investigation revealed that the pylon midspar fittings, which attach the pylon to the lower portion of the wing front spar, had failed. The search for the #3 engine and its pylon, which landed in the sea, took several months. Subsequently, Boeing recalled every 747 in use for pylon modifications.

The aircraft used for China Airlines Flight 358 was manufacturer's serial number 22390, line number 482, registered as B-198, and was built in 1980.[1]