Manila: Four pilots were killed after two Philippine Air Force SF-260 training aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Friday, October 23, 2026. The Philippine Air Force confirmed the deaths on Saturday.

According to reports from local media, the two aircraft collided in mid-air before crashing within the air base premises in Lipa City. The incident occurred at approximately 3:51 p.m. local time.

The Philippine Air Force described the incident as an aviation accident and said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause. No other casualties were reported.

All SF-260 Aircraft Temporarily Grounded

Following the fatal incident, the Philippine Air Force temporarily grounded its entire fleet of SF-260 training aircraft as a precautionary safety measure while the investigation continues.

The Air Force also expressed condolences to the families of the four pilots and said it was providing necessary assistance to their loved ones.

Previous Fatal Training Accident

The latest crash comes months after another fatal accident involving an SF-260 training aircraft in Benguet province in northern Philippines in May 2026, which killed two pilots.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the latest incident. The official cause of the collision has not yet been established.