Four pilots killed after two Philippine Air Force trainer planes crash

On Friday, October 23, two Philippine Air Force trainer airplanes collided midair during a training flight at the Fernando Air Base in Batangas province, resulting in the deaths of four pilots, according to the military. The accident occurred at the base south of Manila. Local news outlets claim the two planes collided in the air.

All involved personnel perished at the site of the crash, with no other injuries reported. Following the incident, the Air Force has placed a temporary halt on the operation of its SF-260 trainer planes while an investigation into the cause of the accident is conducted. In May, two additional pilots lost their lives when an SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed in a mountainous region in the northern Philippines, and another SF-260 TP Marchetti crashed during a training flight in 2023, also resulting in the loss of two pilots.

The SF-260 aircraft have been utilized by the military during numerous air strikes on southern Marawi City, which took place in 2017 following the takeover of the city by militants associated with the Islamic State.