The aircraft crashed within the air base premises, with no other casualties reported. Local media reports said the planes collided midair, though the cause of the accident has not been confirmed. (AI Enhanced Screengrab)Four pilots were killed after two Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Friday, the military said on Saturday.The aircraft crashed within the air base premises, with no other casualties reported. Local media reports said the planes collided midair, though the cause of the accident has not been confirmed.Philippine Air Force planes FLY DANGEROUSLY CLOSE before COLLIDING MID-AIR — BOTH SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL & CRASH during TRAINING4 AIR FORCE PILOTS KILLED https://t.co/fgqEdxJNM3— RT (@RT_com) October 24, 2026The Philippine Air Force has temporarily grounded its fleet of SF-260 trainer aircraft pending an investigation.The incident follows a similar crash in May that killed two pilots in northern Philippines. Another SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight in 2023, killing two pilots.The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Saturday confirmed the deaths of four pilots after two SF-260 aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23. The accident occurred at 3.51 pm, with both aircraft going down within the base perimeter. No other casualties were reported, the PAF said in a statement.READ | The Philippine Air Force (PAF) mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23, 2026, at 3:51 PM.Read more: https://t.co/C39gmTooLg https://t.co/g91Xn2br8Q— Philippine Air Force (@PhilAirForce) October 24, 2026An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, and all SF-260 aircraft have been temporarily grounded as a precautionary measure. The Air Force said it was coordinating with the bereaved families to provide assistance and appealed to the public to respect their privacy.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram