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10-25-2026, 12:23 PM
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4 Pilots Killed when Their SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 Planes Collide Mid-air
Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed when two military training aircraft collided mid-air during a practice flight. The accident occurred directly over the military airbase located just south of Manila on Friday afternoon at approximately 3:51 PM local time. The two single-engine propeller-driven aircraft, both SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 models with tail numbers 032 and 037, were executing a routine formation training flight. While flying at a relatively low altitude over Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, the two planes struck each other. The impact caused both aircraft to immediately lose control and crash within the perimeters of the military facility. All four officers on board both planes died upon impact. The casualties include one Major, one Captain, and two First Lieutenants. No casualties or injuries were reported on the ground, and damage was strictly confined to the military facility, avoiding civilian neighborhoods. The PAF has grounded its entire fleet of SF-260 training aircraft effective immediately as a safety precaution. |