China Airlines Flight 204 was a domestic passenger flight from Hualien to Kaohsiung in Taiwan. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, took off from Hualien Airport on a cloudy day in late October. Just moments after departure, the plane experienced severe issues that led to its crash in a hilly area near the airport. Eyewitnesses described seeing the aircraft losing altitude quickly before plunging into the mountainous terrain, sparking immediate alarm from local residents and airport authorities.

Despite quick coordination for rescue operations, the difficult landscape surrounding the crash site impeded the search efforts, complicating access for rescuers. Upon reaching the wreckage, responders found that there were no survivors among the 54 people on board, including passengers and crew members. Investigations into the crash ensued, examining potential causes which ranged from mechanical failure to human error, leading to significant scrutiny of China Airlines' operational protocols at the time.

Following the incident, China Airlines, which had previously faced criticism regarding its safety record, undertook extensive reviews of its maintenance practices and pilot training programs as part of a broader effort to improve aviation safety in Taiwan. The incident stood as a tragic reminder of the potential hazards in air travel, prompting regulatory agencies to impose stricter safety regulations across the industry.