Philippine Air Force Confirms Four Pilot Deaths and Grounds SF-260 Fleet

The Philippine Air Force confirmed on October 24 that four pilots died in an accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23. Both aircraft went down within the base perimeter, and no other casualties were reported. The air force temporarily grounded all SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure while an investigation works to establish the cause of the accident. It said it was coordinating assistance for the bereaved families and asked for privacy at the families’ request.