| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 August 1981 |
| Type | Explosive decompression |
| Site | near Taipei |
| Passengers | 104 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Fatalities | 110 (all) |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 737-222 |
| Operator | Far Eastern Air Transport |
| Tail number | B-2603 |
| Flight origin | Taipei Songshan Airport |
| Destination | Kaohsiung International Airport |
Far East Air Transport Flight 103 (callsign FAR EASTERN 103), a Boeing 737-222, had just departed Taipei Songshan Airport for Kaohsiung when the aircraft broke apart in mid-air 14 minutes after take-off.
Although the accident was thought to have been caused by an explosive device, an investigation by the Republic of China Civil Aeronautics Board concluded that severe corrosion led to a pressure hull rupture.
The aircraft had previously lost cabin pressure on 5 August and also when the crew had been returning it to Taipei for repairs earlier on the day of its fatal flight.
A total of 110 passengers and crew including 18 Japanese citizens (including Kuniko Mukōda) and 2 other foreigners, died on the flight.[1]
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