MANILA: Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed when two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on Friday, prompting authorities to temporarily ground the entire fleet while investigators examine the circumstances.
The accident occurred on October 23, 2026, at approximately 3:51 p.m. local time, according to an Air Force statement.
Both aircraft came down within the perimeter of the military installation. No additional casualties were reported.
The Philippine Air Force confirmed that the incident involved two SF-260 aircraft operating from Fernando Air Base.
The initial statement did not provide detailed findings about the circumstances.
The cause remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced a final assessment explaining why the aircraft went down during the training mission.
The grounding applies while the investigation proceeds, reflecting the military’s immediate response to the loss of four aviators.
The statement did not specify when flights would resume. Any decision on restoring operations will follow the ongoing assessment, with investigators still working to establish the facts surrounding the accident and the conditions in which it occurred.
The Air Force paid tribute to the deceased pilots, recognising their service and sacrifice. It said it was coordinating with their families to provide necessary assistance following the tragedy.
At the families’ request, the military also appealed to the public to respect their privacy. The statement focused on support for those affected while officials continued investigating the loss of the aircraft and their crews.
Separate Crashes Reported in Russia and France
The Philippine accident follows separate military aviation incidents reported in Russia and France.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said a Su-30SM crashed during a scheduled training flight in the Kaliningrad region on Wednesday.
ALSO READ: High Military Court Chief Killed in Plane Crash in Congo, 17 Dead
French authorities opened a judicial investigation into that crash.
The incidents occurred in different countries and involved different aircraft, with each case subject to its own investigation into the circumstances.
