Four pilots were killed after two Philippine Air Force (PAF) training aircraft collided mid-air and crashed at an air base in Batangas province, south of Manila. The incident occurred during a training flight on Friday, October 23, at approximately 3:51 pm local time. The military confirmed the deaths on Saturday, October 24, and launched an investigation into the accident.

SF-260 Aircraft Crash At Fernando Air Base

The accident involved two single-propeller SF-260 trainer aircraft operating from Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas. Both aircraft crashed within the air base perimeter following the mid-air collision. All four pilots aboard the two aircraft died.

Video footage reportedly captured the aircraft colliding while airborne before spiralling towards the ground. One aircraft reportedly crashed near military personnel barracks. Authorities said no other casualties were reported.

Philippine Air Force Grounds SF-260 Fleet

Following the accident, the Philippine Air Force temporarily grounded its remaining SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure while investigators examine the cause of the crash.

PAF spokesperson Colonel Alvin Jay Capinguian confirmed that an inquiry was underway. The Air Force did not immediately disclose the identities of the four pilots, saying it was coordinating with their families and requesting that their privacy be respected.

The military also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said it would provide the necessary assistance.

Investigation Underway; Previous Training Crash Recalled

Authorities have not yet established what caused the two aircraft to collide during the training exercise. The investigation will seek to determine the circumstances leading to the accident.

The crash follows another fatal accident involving an SF-260 trainer aircraft in May 2026, when two pilots died in a crash in Benguet province in the northern Philippines. A similar training accident in 2023 also claimed two lives.

The latest incident has renewed scrutiny of the safety of military training operations involving the aircraft. The temporary grounding will remain a precautionary measure while the investigation continues.

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