Two Philippine military planes collide mid-air, killing four pilots
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 11:50 · Archive
Two SF-260 aircraft collided during a training flight at Fernando Air Base south of Manila, killing all four pilots onboard.
Two Philippine Air Force SF-260 planes collided during a training flight on Friday afternoon at Fernando Air Base in Lipa city, Batangas province, south of Manila, killing all four pilots. Both aircraft crashed within the base's grounds, with no injuries reported on the ground. One aircraft went down near military barracks, according to a witness.
Footage showed the two planes flying alongside others at low altitude before colliding in a burst of smoke. The military confirmed the crash was accidental but did not provide further details. A military spokesman said: 'The Philippine Air Force mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23, 2026, at 3.51pm.'
The air force has temporarily grounded all remaining SF-260 aircraft, which were acquired from Italy, as an investigation continues. The crash marks a setback for the underfunded Philippine military, which has long struggled to modernize its forces while dealing with communist and Muslim insurgencies and territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea.
How it is being reported
- 2 Philippine air force planes collide during training flight, killing all 4 pilotsThe two SF-260 aircraft collided while flying at a low altitude Friday afternoon.New York Post · 24 Oct, 11:24
- Moment two military planes crash into each other in mid-air as four pilots are killed in PhilippinesFootage showed the two planes colliding while flying low over Fernando air base, south of the capital Manila.Daily Mail · 24 Oct, 10:16
In this story: Philippine Air Force · Fernando Air Base · Manila · Batangas · Italy
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