Four Philippine Air Force pilots killed in mid-air collision during training flight

Four pilots of the Philippine Air Force were killed after two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Batangas province, south of the capital Manila, on Friday.

The accident occurred at around 3.51 pm local time on October 23, with both aircraft coming down within the air base's perimeter, the military said on Saturday. No other casualties were reported.

Local media reported that the two aircraft collided mid-air before crashing. The Philippine Air Force has not confirmed the cause of the accident, and an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances leading to the crash.

SF-260 fleet grounded pending investigation

As a precautionary measure, the Philippine Air Force has temporarily grounded its fleet of SF-260 trainer aircraft while investigators examine the incident.

The military said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The aircraft involved were being used for a training flight when the accident occurred.

The SF-260 is a light aircraft used for military pilot training. The latest incident has renewed attention on the safety of training operations involving the aircraft.

Previous fatal crashes involving trainer aircraft

The latest crash follows other fatal accidents involving SF-260 aircraft in the Philippines.

In May, two pilots were killed when an SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed in a mountainous area in Benguet province in the northern Philippines during a training flight.

Another SF-260 TP Marchetti aircraft crashed during a training flight in 2023, killing two pilots.

The repeated fatal incidents have added to concerns over the safety of military training flights, although the cause of Friday's crash remains unknown.

Aircraft used during Marawi operations

SF-260 aircraft have also been used in military operations beyond pilot training. The Philippine military deployed them during months of air strikes on the southern city of Marawi in 2017, after militants loyal to the Islamic State seized control of parts of the city.

The latest accident occurred at Fernando Air Base in Batangas, south of Manila, where the Philippine Air Force operates training activities. The investigation is expected to determine what led to the two aircraft crashing and whether any factors contributed to the accident.