Two Philippine Air Force Trainer Planes Collide Mid-Air, Killing Four Pilots
Published:
In brief
Two Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainer aircraft collided in mid-air on October 23, 2026, during a flyby rehearsal near Lipa City, killing all four pilots on board. Both planes crashed inside the perimeter of Fernando Air Base in Batangas province, and no one else was hurt. The air force has grounded its SF-260 fleet and opened an investigation into the cause.
Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed on Friday, October 23, 2026, when two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided in mid-air during a rehearsal exercise near Lipa City in Batangas province, south of Manila.
What happened
The collision occurred at about 3:51 p.m. local time above Fernando Air Base. Philippine Air Force spokesperson Colonel Alvin Jay Capinguian said both aircraft went down within the base perimeter and that no other casualties were reported on the ground.
The air force has not released the names of the four pilots who died, saying it is withholding identification at the request of their families while it coordinates assistance for them.
The aircraft and the exercise
Both planes involved were Italian-made SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainers, which the Philippine Air Force uses to prepare pilots for more advanced flying duties. According to Colonel Capinguian, the aircraft were taking part in a rehearsal for a flyby when they collided.
The SF-260 is a single-engine, propeller-driven aircraft commonly used by air forces for basic and intermediate pilot training.
Investigation and response
The Philippine Air Force said it has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision, but has not yet released any findings. As a safety precaution, the service temporarily grounded its entire SF-260 fleet pending the outcome of that inquiry.
The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators and is coordinating with their bereaved families to provide necessary assistance.
— Philippine Air Force statement
A second SF-260 loss this year
Friday's crash is the second fatal SF-260 accident reported by the Philippine Air Force in 2026. In May, two pilots were killed when an SF-260 crashed in a mountainous area of Benguet province in northern Philippines during a training flight.
SF-260 training accidents reported by the Philippine Air Force in 2026
Date
Location
Aircraft involved
Pilots killed
May 2026
Benguet province
1 SF-260
2
October 23, 2026
Fernando Air Base, Batangas
2 SF-260 (mid-air collision)
4
Collision date and time: October 23, 2026, around 3:51 p.m. local time
Location: Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas province
Aircraft: two SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainers
Fatalities: four pilots; no other casualties reported
Status: SF-260 fleet grounded; cause under investigation
Questions
How many pilots died in the Philippine Air Force collision?
Four pilots were killed when two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided in mid-air near Lipa City, Batangas province, on October 23, 2026.
What type of aircraft were involved?
Both aircraft were SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainers, propeller-driven planes the Philippine Air Force uses to train pilots for more advanced flying duties.
Where did the crash happen?
The collision occurred over Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas province, south of Manila, and both aircraft crashed within the base perimeter.
Why were the two planes flying together?
According to the Philippine Air Force, the aircraft were taking part in a rehearsal for a flyby when the collision occurred.
Has this happened before with the SF-260?
Yes. In May 2026, two pilots died when a single SF-260 crashed during a training flight in Benguet province, marking the second fatal SF-260 incident of the year.
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