4 pilots killed as 2 Air Force planes collide mid-air in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Four Philippine Air Force pilots were killed after two SF-260 aircraft went down during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Batangas.

The accident occurred at 3:51 p.m. Friday, October 23, according to an Air Force statement released Saturday.

"Both aircraft went down within the base perimeter, with no other casualties reported," the Air Force said.

The Air Force did not identify the four pilots in its statement, saying it was coordinating with their families and asking the public to respect their privacy.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

All SF-260 aircraft have been temporarily grounded as a precautionary safety measure, the Air Force said.

"The PAF honors the service and sacrifice of our fallen aviators and is coordinating with their bereaved families to provide necessary assistance," it said.

The military did not provide further details about what occurred during the training flight.

The accident involved two single-propeller SF-260 aircraft.

The crash is the latest fatal accident involving the aircraft. In May, two military pilots were killed when an SF-260 went down during a training flight in Benguet province. — with report from Agence France Presse