Data from the "black box" flight recorders retrieved from the wreckage suggests the pilots shut down one engine after the other lost power.

Earlier, TransAsia said all of its pilots would be retaking proficiency examinations following the disaster.

Fifteen of the 58 people on board were rescued but at least 35 others died.

Thomas Wang, executive director of Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council, said the plane's right engine triggered an alarm just 37 seconds after taking off from the Taipei's Songshan airport.

The main pilot could be heard on black-box recordings saying the engine had experienced a "flame-out", Mr Wang said, which can occur when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted.

However, he said data showed that the engine had in fact been moved into idle mode. (BBC)