Probe underway on mid-air crash that killed four Air Force pilots in Lipa, Batangas

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday said an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fatal mishap involving two SF-260 trainer aircraft that also killed four Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots in Lipa City, Batangas on October 23.

"An investigation is ongoing and will be conducted thoroughly and objectively to establish the facts, determine the causes, and identify any gaps that require corrective action and prevent similar tragedies," the DND said in a statement Monday.

The DND said the four pilots' "service and sacrifice for the nation will not be forgotten."

The mid-air collision happened around 3:51 p.m. during a routine training flight at Fernando Air Base.

"Both aircraft went down within the base perimeter, with no other casualties reported," PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Jay Capinguian said.

The rest of the SF-260 fleet, composed of light aircraft marketed as an aerobatics plane and a military trainer, were ordered grounded as a precautionary measure.

The PAF is coordinating assistance with the bereaved families of Capt. Raymart Cabangcala of Pangasinan, 1st Lt. Angeleo Adrian Peñaflor of Cagayan and Capt. Ma. Melvin Acebuque of Baguio City and Maj. David Joshua Rojo.

-Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency