The Philippine Air Force (PAF) issued a statement expressing grief over the accident. It said response teams reached the site immediately after the crash. Following the incident, all SF-260 aircraft have been grounded and will be allowed to fly again only after inspections are completed.
Aircraft Crashed Within Air Force Base
According to local media reports, the accident occurred during a training exercise. Both aircraft crashed within the air base, and the incident caused no damage outside the premises. The PAF said there were no other casualties resulting from the crash. The families of the four pilots who lost their lives have also been contacted.
The SF-260 is a light aircraft designed in Italy in 1960. It is a two-seat aircraft powered by a piston engine and has aerobatic capabilities. The Philippine Air Force has used these aircraft for training for a long time.
The aircraft have also been deployed during military operations. In 2017, SF-260 aircraft were used in the Marawi City operation. Their light weight and speed also make them suitable for deployment during disaster situations.
Previous SF-260 Crashes Raise Safety Concerns
🚨🇵🇭 Two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided mid-air during formation drills at Fernando Air Base in Batangas, killing four officers and forcing an immediate fleetwide grounding. https://t.co/KanBF7l3ma
— Morkie (@_morkie) October 24, 2026
The latest accident comes amid a series of aircraft losses involving the Philippine Air Force in recent years. Just four months ago, another SF-260 aircraft crashed, killing both pilots on board. A similar accident also occurred in 2023.
In view of these incidents, the SF-260 fleet has been grounded to determine whether technical defects contributed to the crashes or whether the aircraft are no longer suitable for training operations.
The investigation will seek to establish whether the aircraft have technical deficiencies or whether their continued use for pilot training requires reconsideration. Repeated accidents could also affect the morale of military personnel if the aircraft continue to be used without resolving the underlying safety concerns.
Experts have said that the Philippine Air Force needs to increase its training budget and acquire new aircraft. The PAF, meanwhile, has stated that it is working towards modernisation. The findings of the inspections will determine when the grounded SF-260 aircraft can return to service and help clarify the safety concerns surrounding their continued use.
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