What happened
Two SF-260 military planes collided in mid-air while flying low over Fernando Air Base in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of four pilots. The incident occurred during a training drill on October 23, 2026, at 3:51 pm. Footage shows the two planes flying alongside at least four others before colliding, with a burst of smoke visible as they crashed.
The planes lost altitude quickly and crashed within the base's perimeter, with no other casualties reported. The Philippine Air Force has grounded its entire SF-260 fleet as a precautionary safety measure while an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
The air force has stated that the crash was accidental but did not provide further details. The Philippine Air Force is providing assistance to the bereaved families of the fallen aviators and has appealed to the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
