TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Air Force denied reports that a Mirage 2000-5 fighter was in the process of intercepting Chinese military aircraft before plunging into the sea on Monday (March 14).

News reports had cited the downed jet’s pilot, Huang Chung-kai (黃重凱) of the Seventh Wing, as saying he had been carrying out a mission to chase away Chinese military planes that had entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, per CNA.

However, the Air Force said that the fighter jet had been on a routine training mission. It said Huang had not heard the question clearly and had answered incorrectly, adding that he is not authorized to give any interviews.

The Air Force advised news outlets not to cite false information.

Air Force Command Headquarters said earlier in a press release that a Mirage 2000 had taken off from Chihhang Air Base at 10:08 a.m. Monday morning for a routine combat training mission. However, at 11:26 a.m., the Air Force received an alert that the pilot had ejected approximately 10 nautical miles south of the base.

The Army sent Black Hawk helicopters to the scene and at 12:06 p.m. rescued the pilot. He was reported to be in stable condition and has been sent to a hospital for observation.