Manila: A major wrecking occurred in the Philippines due to a mid-air standoff between two training watercraft of the Air Force. Four military pilots died in this accident. The wrecking occurred Friday during a routine training flight at Fernando Air Wiring in Batangas province, south of the wanted Manila. The Philippines Air Force has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation into the rationalization of the accident.
According to preliminary information, both the crashed watercraft were trainer watercraft of SF-260 model. During the flight, both the watercraft collided with each other and fell in the air wiring complex. All four pilots lost their lives in the accident. According to officials, the watercraft fell inside the airbase itself, causing no harm to other people on the ground.
Why were all SF-260 watercraft grounded without the accident?
Following the accident, the Philippines Air Force has temporarily grounded its unshortened squadron of SF-260 watercraft as a precautionary measure. Now these planes will not be used until the rationalization of the wrecking becomes clear.
Philippine Air Force says four pilots were killed when two SF-260 watercraft collided and crashed during a training flight near a wiring in Lipa City, Batangas, on Friday. https://t.co/9zlPIJ0jPj
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) October 24, 2026Investigating agencies are trying to find out the circumstances under which the standoff between the two planes took place. In this, the condition of the watercraft during flight, coordination between pilots and technical aspects can be examined. However, the final conclusion regarding the word-for-word rationalization of the wrecking has not yet been revealed.
Have accidents happened surpassing with SF-260 planes?
The SF-260 watercraft are part of the Philippines Air Force's training fleet. These are used to provide vital flying training to pilots. Previous accidents involving this model have moreover raised safety questions.
According to reports, an SF-260 watercraft crashed in a mountainous zone in the northern Philippines in May, killing two pilots. At the same time, in 2023, also, an SF-260 TP Marchetti watercraft crashed during a training flight. Two pilots lost their lives in that incident also.
READ | The Philippine Air Force (PAF) mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation wrecking involving two SF-260 watercraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Wiring on October 23, 2026, at 3:51 PM. Read more: https://t.co/C39gmTooLg https://t.co/g91Xn2br8Q
— Philippine Air Force (@PhilAirForce) October 24, 2026However, no uncontrived link between these incidents has been confirmed. Only without the investigation of the present wrecking is completed will it be well-spoken whether the wrecking occurred due to technical fault, flight related conditions or any other reason.
Have SF-260 watercraft moreover been used in military operations?
The use of SF-260 watercraft has not been limited to training only. The Philippines has moreover used these watercraft in some military operations. In 2017, these watercraft moreover played a role during the wayfarers versus terrorists associated with Islamic State in Marawi municipality of southern Philippines.
During the months-long mismatch in Marawi, the Philippines military conducted several military actions, including airstrikes. In such a situation, the security of these watercraft used in training and military activities is important for the Air Force.
At present, without the death of four pilots, the Air Force's focus is on investigating the wrecking and finding out the rationalization of the accident. A visualization on when to resume flights on SF-260 watercraft will be taken without the findings of the investigation and safety review.
