Four pilots killed in mid-air collision of Philippine military training aircraft

OPA WIRE, Oct 24 (OPA) — Four pilots were killed on October 23, 2026, when two SF-260 turboprop aircraft collided during a training exercise at Fernando Air Base. The incident occurred at 3:51 p.m. local time, according to military officials. Footage of the event shows the two planes flying in formation with other aircraft before the mid-air impact, which resulted in both planes losing altitude and crashing within the base grounds.

"The Philippine Air Force mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight," a military spokesperson said in a statement. The service confirmed that no casualties occurred on the ground. Officials are currently coordinating with the families of the deceased and have requested that the public respect their privacy during the recovery process.

In response to the accident, the Philippine Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary measure. An investigation is currently underway to determine the specific cause of the collision. The SF-260, a light military trainer and light-attack aircraft, has been a staple of the Philippine fleet for decades, though this incident marks a significant loss of personnel for the branch.

This crash follows a history of aviation incidents within the Philippine military. In 2021, a C-130 transport plane crashed in Sulu province, resulting in the deaths of 45 people, including 42 soldiers and three civilians. The military has not yet provided a timeline for the conclusion of the current investigation or the resumption of flight operations for the grounded fleet.