Four Philippine Air Force Pilots Killed in Mid-Air Collision During Training

Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed on Friday, October 23, 2026, after two SF-260 trainer aircraft collided mid-air and crashed during a training exercise at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas.

The accident occurred at approximately 3:51 p.m. during a low-altitude training exercise described as a flyby rehearsal. Both Italian-made Marchetti SF-260 aircraft crashed within the air base perimeter. No casualties were reported on the ground.

Seven aircraft were involved in the exercise, of which five landed safely, according to the report.

The Philippine Air Force confirmed the deaths on Saturday and said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the collision. As a precautionary measure, the entire SF-260 fleet has been temporarily grounded pending further assessment.

The incident marks the second fatal crash involving an SF-260 aircraft in the Philippines in five months. In May 2026, another aircraft of the same type crashed during a navigation training flight in Benguet province, killing both pilots on board.