4 pilots killed as two Philippine Air Force aircraft crash during training in Manilla

Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed when two SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23. The air force has grounded the fleet pending an investigation.The air force has temporarily grounded all SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure while the incident is examined. (AI generated image)Four pilots of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were killed after two SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23, 2026, the PAF said.The accident occurred at around 3:51 pm local time, with both aircraft going down within the perimeter of the air base. No other casualties were reported, according to the air force.The PAF confirmed the deaths in a statement, expressing condolences over the loss of the four aviators and paying tribute to their service.The cause of the accident remains under investigation. The air force has temporarily grounded all SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure while the incident is examined. Further details about the circumstances leading to the crash, including whether the aircraft encountered technical problems or other difficulties during the training flight, have not been disclosed.- Ends