MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on Saturday, October 24, that four pilots died after two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas on Friday afternoon, October 23.

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

Capinguian reported that emergency protocols were promptly implemented after the incident, as response teams were deployed to secure the site and carry out preliminary 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,” Capinguian stated.

He further added that the PAF also mourned the loss of the four pilots who died in the incident.

“The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators and is coordinating with their bereaved families to provide necessary assistance,” he said.

Video footage of the incident also circulated on social media and PAF reported that both planes crashed inside the air base, with no other casualties recorded.

The Air Force stated that authorities are investigating the incident to establish what led to the accident.

Moreover, Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Saturday that investigators would look into all aspects of the incident, stressing that established accident investigation procedures must not be bypassed.

“Let us wait for the accident investigation. We have been instilling proper accident investigation procedures in the Philippine Air Force and there is a process that must not be bypassed,” Teodoro announced.

Meanwhile, previous fatal crashes involving Philippine Air Force SF-260 aircraft also occurred last January 2023, and May 2026, with the latter incident happened in Benguet province killing two military pilots during a training flight.

Article by Shane Odon