PH Air Force: ‘Katandaan’ not a factor in fatal SF-260 midair collision; probe ongoing

MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is investigating all possible factors surrounding the fatal midair collision involving two SF-260 aircraft in Batangas, including environmental conditions, aircraft materials, fuel, flight planning, and pilot training.

PAF spokesperson Colonel Alvin Jay Capinguian said the investigators must determine what caused the October 23 accident before the service can identify the necessary corrective measures.

“We cannot look at one, any one angle, kasi we don’t know baka may nakaligtaan tayo. So, everything is being looked at,” Capinguian told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.

The accident occurred at around 3:51 p.m. during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City.

Two SF-260 aircraft collided midair before crashing inside the base, killing all four pilots aboard.

The fatalities were identified as 1Lt. Angeleo Adrian Penaflor, 1Lt. Raymart Cabangcala, 1Lt. Ma. Melvin Acebuque, and Maj. David Joshua Rojo.

According to Capinguian, the investigation began immediately after the accident, adding that investigators secured the crash site and gathered as much debris as possible.

“The whole spectrum of what’s required to operate [is being investigated]—from administration to planning to execution to logistics to actual flight to weather. Many of the factors are taken into consideration,” Capinguian said.

“We would like to wait for the results of the investigation to find out what gaps there were, if any, so we can make remediation. Hangga’t hindi natin alam what specifically went wrong, parang nanghuhula tayo and we would be wasting our time and resources if we don’t fill the proper gap,” he added.

The PAF has grounded its remaining 15 SF-260 aircraft while the investigation is ongoing.

Despite the incident, Capinguian said the PAF would not temporarily suspend formation flying, which is “a core competency and a required skill” for military pilots.

“It’s like saying dahil may tinamaan ng bala, itigil na natin ang firearm training. It’s a core competency and required skill of the PAF, that’s why we always have to practice it,” he noted.

The spokesperson also rejected suggestions that the aircraft’s age alone could explain the aircraft mishap, saying their operational capability is assessed based on operating hours rather than chronological age.

“In aviation, there is no such thing as or we would like to dispel the notion of katandaan. Wala sa chronological age. Hindi tinitingnan ang chronological age ng eroplano. Each aircraft has a number of operating hours associated with it. Doon gini-gauge ang operational capability niya,” Capinguian explained. 

“Hindi matanda ‘yung aircraft. They are well within their airframe operating hours, and they still have several years of operation to go.”

The SF-260 aircraft arrived in the Philippines in 2010 and 2011 after being procured brand-new from the manufacturer.

Capinguian also clarified that the SF-260 aircraft does not have ejection seats, but pilots wear parachutes when flying the aircraft.

“Kasama sa kit namin ‘yan [parachute] when we fly that. The SF-260 does not have ejection seats. However, part of the pilot’s gear pagsakay diyan ay may parachute siya,” he said.

Despite the grounding of the SF-260 fleet, Capinguian assured that pilot training will continue. He explained that current students at the PAF Flying School are not affected because they have no scheduled flight lessons.

“We have two classes at the PAF Flying School. One is about to graduate, so tapos na ang lahat ng flight lessons nila. The other class is undergoing academics, ground academics. So, wala silang scheduled na lipad,” the spokesperson said.

The flight involved in the accident was part of upgrade training for qualified pilots, not basic training for students.

Capinguian added that flight lessons will be shifted to other PAF aircraft, such as the T-41 Delta, if needed.