4 PAF pilots killed in Batangas plane crash; SF-260 fleet grounded

MANILA, Philippines — Four Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots were killed after two SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight in Batangas on Friday, the Air Force confirmed on Saturday.

The PAF has temporarily grounded all its SF-260 aircraft as it investigates the cause of the crash.

Both aircraft went down within the perimeter of Fernando Air Base in Lipa City at around 3:51 p.m. Friday, according to the PAF.

“An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, while all SF-260 aircraft have been temporarily grounded as a precautionary safety measure,” it said in a statement.

The Air Force has yet to identify the four pilots or disclose what caused the tragedy.

The PAF said it is coordinating with the families of the four pilots to provide assistance and appealed to the public to respect their privacy.

“The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators,” it said.

The SF-260 is a light aircraft used by the Air Force for pilot training.

Earlier on Friday, PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Jay Capinguian confirmed that two SF-260 aircraft were involved in an incident during a training flight at Fernando Air Base.

Capinguian said emergency response measures were immediately activated following the incident, with response teams dispatched to secure the area and conduct initial assessments.

“Our primary priority remains the safety and welfare of the personnel involved, as well as the individuals within the vicinity of the incident site,” he said in an earlier statement.

Video footage of the incident also circulated on social media.

The latest disaster came five months after two PAF pilots, 1st Lt. Ruth Angelique Pasos, an instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Cherky Embudo, an aviation student, were killed in a similar event.

The incident happened when an SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a navigation training flight in Tuba, Benguet on May 20.

Following that crash, the Air Force grounded its 16 remaining SF-260 trainer aircraft, disrupting the final phase of military pilot training. (with a report from Joanna Rose Aglibot) /apl/gsg