Manuel Mogato | November 5, 2026
Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) trainer aircraft, Siai Marchetti SF-260s, collided in mid-air during a flyby rehearsal at a training air base in Lipa City in late October.
Four military aviators died in the fiery collision which was witnessed by many people watching on the ground as seven SF-260s streaked in flight formation above clear Batangas skies.
It was unfortunate.
It was an accident, but the deaths could have been prevented if only the basic trainer aircraft had ejection seats.
The mid-air collision was the second accident involving SF-260s in five months this year when two pilots also died when their plane crashed in pine tree-covered mountains in Benguet during a proficiency flight training.
The PAF has been flying SF260s as its basic trainer since the 1970s. It has also acquired an attack variant, SF-260TP, as a close air support aircraft, assigned to the 15th Strike Wing in Sangley Point, Cavite.
An SF-260TP also crashed in Bataan, killing two pilots in 2023.
However, the current fleet of 18 to 20 SF-260s used for basic flight training at Fernando Air Base, home of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) in Lipa City, was acquired only in 2008 under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The latest variant of the Italian-manufactured SF-260s was delivered between 2010 and 2013. The aircraft was considered safe and reliable, as few accidents were recorded in the last 15 years.
However, it is about time the Philippines starts looking for a better, safer, and upgraded basic or primary trainer aircraft to train future military aviators.
Apart from ST-260FH trainers operated by the 102nd Pilot Training “Cougars” squadron, the Air Force also has a small fleet of Cessna T41D Mescalero in 2008 from South Korea under the 101st Pilot Training “Wildcats” squadron.
The three accidents involving SF-260s exposed safety concerns for the primary training aircraft: the lack of ejection seats that could save lives
The Air Force has started acquiring advanced multi-engine aircraft, such as the FA-50 light fighters and A-29 Super Tucano, but has not replaced its basic trainer.
Both the FA-50 and A-29 platforms are also used by the Air Force for training and help transition military pilots to more advanced, faster multi-role fighters. (Also read: The Philippines needs counter-drone aircraft)
The Philippines could start looking at its Southeast Asian neighbors, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand for turboprop basic and advanced trainer aircraft.
South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States manufactured better-performing basic trainers that have ejection seats.
Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Turkey also produced advanced trainer aircraft that are more efficient and economical to operate than the FA50A and A-29 aircraft.
The Air Force could also start acquiring ground-based full-motion flight simulators. A flight simulator not only reduces the risk of flight accidents, but it also gives pilots more hours on the aircraft before actually flying them, and reducing costs.
Before the Philippines acquires advanced multi-role fighters and other platforms, it should start with its basic and advanced pilot training programs and equipment.
The Air Force can avoid another collision or crash. It should acquire newer platforms for basic and advanced training, with safety and sustainability as top priorities.