Four pilots killed in Philippine Air Force training collision
Four pilots died when two Philippine Air Force SF-260 aircraft collided during a training flight over Fernando Air Base, south of Manila. The crash happened within the base grounds, with no injuries reported on the ground; the military has grounded its SF-260 fleet while it investigates.
Footage showed the aircraft flying low alongside other planes before colliding at about 3.51pm on 23 October 2026. The military described the crash as accidental but has not stated its cause. It said it is supporting the pilots’ families, who have asked for privacy.
In short
- Four pilots died in a mid-air collision during a training flight.
- The aircraft crashed within Fernando Air Base; no ground injuries were reported.
- The Philippine Air Force grounded its SF-260 fleet pending an investigation.
Explained simply
The Philippine Air Force is the country’s military aviation service. Fernando Air Base, south of Manila, is one of its facilities, and the SF-260 is a small aircraft used by the air force for training pilots.
Training flights help pilots practise flying and working together in the air. A collision involving military aircraft can prompt checks of the planes and flight procedures, while the loss of pilots affects their families and the service.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Moment two military planes crash into each other in mid-air as four pilots are killed in Philippines”.