4 PAF PILOTS DIE IN BATANGAS AIR MISHAP

FOUR Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots on Friday afternoon died in a mid-air accident during a training flight in Lipa City, Batangas.

PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Jay Capinguian, in a statement on Saturday, said the PAF mourns the loss of the four pilots in an aviation incident involving two SF-260 trainer aircraft during a routine training flight at Fernando Air Base at 3:51 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2026.

Capinguian said both aircraft went down within the base perimeter, with no other casualties reported.

He said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the air mishap.

The PAF spokesperson said all SF-260 aircraft have been temporarily grounded as a precautionary safety measure following the incident.

The names of the victims were temporarily withheld as PAF authorities were coordinating with the families of the four pilots to provide assistance as it appealed to the public to respect their privacy.

 “The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators and is coordinating with their bereaved families to provide necessary assistance,” Capinguian said.

“At the families’ request, we respectfully appeal to the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time,”  he added.

The SF-260 is a light aircraft used by the Air Force for pilot training.