World · India Bureau
Four Philippine Air Force pilots killed in mid-air collision during training
Two SF-260 training aircraft collided over Fernando Air Base in Batangas province on October 23, killing all four pilots on board. The incident occurred during a routine training exercise, prompting authorities to ground the entire SF-260 fleet pending investigation.
LSN India ·
Four pilots of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) lost their lives when two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided mid-air over Fernando Air Base in Lipan City, Batangas province, on October 23. Both aircraft subsequently crashed within the base premises. All four occupants, two from each aircraft, were killed in the incident. The collision occurred during a scheduled training operation at the facility. Emergency response teams from the base immediately attended to the crash site. A formal investigation into the cause of the collision has been initiated by PAF authorities. As a precautionary measure, all SF-260 aircraft in the Philippine Air Force inventory have been grounded pending the completion of the inquiry. The SF-260 is a single-engine, low-wing aircraft commonly used for basic and advanced flight training by various air forces across the region. This marks a significant incident for the PAF's training operations and is expected to result in comprehensive safety reviews of flight procedures at the base.