Philippines Grounds SF-260 Training Aircraft After Mid-Air Collision Claims Four Lives

Four pilots were killed after two Philippine Air Force training aircraft collided during a training exercise and crashed near Lipa City, south of Manila.
 

The two SF-260 aircraft went down at Fernando Air Base in Lipa. Following the accident, the Philippine Air Force suspended flights of its SF-260 aircraft pending the completion of an investigation.
 

According to the Associated Press (AP), both aircraft were flying at a low altitude when they collided. One of the planes crashed near military personnel barracks.
 

SF-260 fleet grounded pending investigation
 

The Philippine Air Force has halted operations involving the SF-260 training aircraft until investigators complete their probe into the crash. The cause of the collision has not been established in the information available.
 

The aircraft involved were purchased from Italy. The Philippine military has faced financial constraints for years, making it difficult to modernise its fighter aircraft, navy and army.
 

Previous fatal accidents involving SF-260 aircraft
 

The latest crash follows earlier fatal accidents involving the same type of training aircraft in the Philippines.
 

In May this year, an SF-260 training plane crashed in a mountainous area of northern Philippines, killing two pilots.
 

Another SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight in 2023, also resulting in the deaths of two pilots.
 

The October 24 collision was reported as the fifth major mid-air collision involving two aircraft worldwide this year.