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

Four pilots have died following a mid-air collision between two Philippine Air Force (PAF) SF-260 trainer aircraft during a training flight. The incident occurred on October 23, 2026, around 3:51 p.m. local time, over Fernando Air Base, south of the capital Manila.

Footage captured the moment the two aircraft collided while flying low. Both planes crashed within the perimeter of the air base, and there were no reported injuries on the ground. The military has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and has grounded all SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure.

In a statement, a PAF spokesman expressed condolences for the loss of the pilots, honoring their service and sacrifice. The Air Force is coordinating with the families of the deceased to provide assistance and has requested privacy for them during this difficult period.

This incident adds to a series of aviation accidents in the Philippines. Last year, a surveillance flight crash resulted in the deaths of one U.S. soldier and three defense contractors. In 2021, a Philippine Air Force plane carrying troops crashed upon landing in the southern province of Sulu, killing 45 people, including 42 soldiers and three civilians on the ground.

The region has also seen increased naval activity. Recent drills involving the U.S. and its partners around the Philippines have drawn criticism from Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the South China Sea and accused Manila of colluding to destabilize the area.