MANILA, Philippines — Two military pilots were killed after a trainer plane of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) crashed in the forest of Tuba in Benguet yesterday morning.
The PAF withheld the identities of the fatalities, one of whom was reportedly a woman, until after their families are properly notified.
Col. Ma. Christina Basco, spokesperson for the PAF, said the SF-260 trainer plane was among 10 aircraft that departed Fernando Air Base in Lipa City for a navigation training flight in Benguet.
“We are saddened to inform you that both pilots passed away,” Basco said after confirming the incident.
Lt. Col. Roy Calulot, spokesman for the Cordillera police, said the aircraft with tail number 10-39 crashed at around 10:30 a.m. in Barangay Cabuyao.
The plane was found in a wooded portion of Mt. Cabuyao.
Responding police officers, firefighters and disaster officials found the pilots unconscious at the site.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash.- Artemio Dumlao