Rescue teams are searching for a fighter jet pilot after the aircraft crashed off the coast of Taiwan.

The F-16A-72V Fighting Falcon took off from Hualien Air Base at 6:17 pm local time on Tuesday for a routine training mission.

By 7:29 pm, the pilot, reported by local media as Captain Hsin Po-yi, was believed to have ejected roughly 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township, Hualien County.

A joint search-and-rescue operation was underway, involving Republic of China Army (ROCA) Black Hawk helicopters, Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) EC-225 helicopters, a C-130 transport aircraft, and several Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol vessels.

Authorities said difficult weather was hampering the search. A cold continental air mass is affecting the area, bringing winds of force six to seven, gusts up to force nine, waves reaching three metres, and a sharp drop in temperature by evening.

President Lai Ching-te wrote on social media: 'Regarding tonight's F-16 in Hualien, which went missing during training, I immediately instructed the Ministry of National Defence and relevant units to make 'personnel safety' the top priority and carry out a full-scale search and rescue.

'The Air Force Response Centre has launched a joint rescue operation, actively searching the Hualien sea area.

'Every member of our armed forces is an important pillar of the nation. I ask all citizens to send their support for Captain Hsin and cheer on the rescue teams. We will do everything possible, every single minute, to bring the pilot home safely.'