Four Philippine Air Force pilots died when two SF-260 trainers crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Batangas on Friday, ABS-CBN, The Manila Times and the Inquirer reported. The Air Force grounded the SF-260 fleet while it looks into the cause.

The Philippine Air Force said Saturday that the pilots died in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight on October 23, 2026. The Manila Times said both aircraft went down inside the base perimeter. The Air Force has not named the four pilots or said how many people were aboard each plane.

"With deep sorrow, the Philippine Air Force mourns the loss of four pilots," the service said, according to ABS-CBN. It said it was working with the families and asked the public to respect their privacy. The Inquirer said earlier Friday that a spokesperson had confirmed two SF-260 aircraft were involved in the training flight.

The SF-260 is a light plane used for pilot training, the Inquirer reported. In May, two Air Force pilots died when another SF-260 crashed during a training flight in Benguet. After that crash, the Air Force grounded its remaining SF-260 trainers for a time, the Inquirer said. The latest crash came about five months later at the Lipa City base. The Manila Times said the crashes occurred in the afternoon on October 23 and that all SF-260 aircraft were grounded as a safety step while the probe runs.

What we know: Two SF-260 trainers crashed at Fernando Air Base on Friday, killing four pilots, and the fleet is grounded.
What we don't: The cause of the crash, the pilots' names, and how many were aboard each aircraft.