Missing FA-50 found in Bukidnon: Jet crashed,2 pilots dead

CEBU, Philippines — A Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet that went missing on March 4, 2025, during a tactical mission in Mindanao has been found in the vicinity of Mt. Kalatungan Complex in Bukidnon, with both pilots aboard confirmed dead.

“With deep regret and profound sadness, the PAF announces the loss of the two pilots aboard,” the PAF said in an official statement.

The names of the fallen pilots are yet to be released pending proper notification of their family and relatives.

A full-scale search and rescue operation was launched on March 4, involving the PAF, Philippine Army, and local civilian volunteers. According to the PAF, the operation focused on locating and recovering the pilots, with aerial searches conducted using signals from the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter and locator beacons.

“Despite challenging conditions, including dense fog and difficult terrain, PAF helicopters successfully deployed Army special forces and civilian volunteers for ground searches,” the PAF reported.

PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo, in an interview with radio DZBB, clarified that the take-off and landing of the aircraft were in Cebu. However, she refrained from immediately disclosing the exact area of operations.

“But I hope the public understands po na kahapon po hindi po tayo nag-declare nung area of operations ano kasi may possibility na ano po, its safe to say now that the area is in Bukidnon,” she stated.

She also noted that communication was not an issue, as confirmed by the pilot of another fighter jet that safely returned to Mactan Air Base.

“Based po dun sa ano no, sa ating panayam sa ating mga piloto na nakabalik sa Mactan, they just immediately lost ano po contact while they were en route po dun sa kanilang target area of operation,” Castillo said.

Castillo confirmed that prior to the incident, the weather was favorable, allowing the mission to proceed. However, she acknowledged the inherent risks of night operations.

“Okay naman po kasi na carry out naman po nila ang mission nila. Although talagang admittedly, delikado po talagang mag-operate ng gabi. Napakahirap po and it takes really a lot of ano po skills and guts para ma-carry out ang mission. It's a big challenge po na gabi ang operation. We really have to do it ano, lalo kapag ano po kailangan nating masuportahan natin ang ating mga ground troops on the ground para magkaroon tayo ng big advantage over our enemy,” she said.

She emphasized that the FA-50 fighter jet is equipped with night flying capabilities, and the two fallen pilots were highly skilled and well-trained for both day and night operations.

FA-50 fleet grounded

Following the crash, the PAF has grounded its FA-50 fleet to ensure a thorough investigation into the accident.

“We are committed to providing all the necessary support to the bereaved families during this difficult time,” the PAF stated, requesting prayers for the fallen pilots, whose service and heroism they deeply honor.

The investigation will examine the cause of the crash involving one of the 12 brand-new FA-50 fighter jets acquired from South Korea in 2015 and delivered in 2017.

This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal military aviation accidents. In June 2021, a PAF Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Tarlac, killing three pilots and three crew members. An investigation determined that the aircraft had inadvertently entered a thunderstorm, leading to spatial disorientation or vertigo in the pilot.

A month later, a C-130 military cargo plane crash-landed at Jolo Airport in Sulu, resulting in the deaths of 50 soldiers and three civilians. The crash was attributed to material, human, and environmental factors.

Calls for increased defense budget

During a press conference in Cebu, Senator Imee Marcos expressed her sorrow over the tragedy.

“Nakakalungkot talaga ang pangyayaring ito, it’s really tragic. Pero hindi lang naman tayo sa buong mundo kaya dapat extra careful tayo. Mag-iiba ang pagbabago ng klima eh hindi lamang sa lupa, eh pati na rin sa ere, may nararamdaman ka pag lumilipad ka sa eroplano kung minsan ay naiiba, so dapat extra careful tayo,” she said.

Marcos also voiced concerns about the military’s budget constraints, particularly for aircraft maintenance.

“At kung minsan ang ating Air Force, nagtitipid sa maintenance yan ang problema. Parating kulang ang budget kaya galit na galit ako noong tinanggalan ang ating AFP modernization,” she said.

She urged the government to allocate more funds to the Horizons 1, 2, and 3 phases of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP), particularly the Horizon 3 phase, which focuses on enhancing archipelagic defense capabilities through the acquisition of more ships, aircraft, and radar systems.

“So kinakailangan dagdagan na yung pondo, nag-usap kami, nadagdagan naging P50 billion tapos pagdating sa Bicam tinanggalan na naman ng P15 billion. Sabi ko, ano ba ito seryoso ba tayo i-modernize ang ating mga tropa o hindi? Kawawa naman ang ating piloto, kasalanan na natin to,” Marcos added. –with reports from Philippine Star News Service/FPL