Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17793394839491779339481937.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photos courtesy MDRRMO Tuba<br style="color:rgb(104, 104, 104);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial" id="isPasted"/> </div>MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has temporarily grounded its remaining SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 training aircraft and suspended training activities involving the platform following a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/5/20/small-plane-crashes-in-tuba-benguet-1315">crash in Tuba, Benguet</a> that claimed the lives of two of its pilots.“Grounded yung remaining 16 [SF-260 aircraft] pending the investigation,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco told ABS-CBN News in a text message on Thursday.PAF is mourning the loss of instructor pilot 1st Lt. Ruth Angelique Pasos and aviation student 2nd Lt. Cherky Embudo, who were aboard the SF-260 during a navigation training flight on Wednesday.Basco said the aircraft crashed at around 10:30 a.m. in Sitio Cabuyao while en route to Baguio City.The aircraft was part of a group of 11 SF-260 trainer aircraft that departed from the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas for a training mission.However, only ten aircraft reached their destination.“According to reports from responders in the area, both pilots were found unconscious and were immediately transported to a hospital in Baguio City for medical treatment,” Basco said. “However, both pilots later succumbed to the multiple injuries they sustained in the mishap.”The official said the PAF &quot;will conduct a comprehensive briefing on claims and benefits for the dependents, ensuring full guidance on requirements and timelines until all entitlements are received.&quot; “Additionally, the Command will actively monitor their CSBP claims, including financial, housing, TESDA capability training, and potential employment assistance for qualified dependents,” Basco said. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.While operations involving the SF-260 fleet remain suspended, Basco said other aircraft models used by the PAF for training activities will continue to be utilized.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-csSKAoqRY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has temporarily grounded its remaining SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 training aircraft and suspended training activities involving the platform following a crash in Tuba, Benguet that claimed the lives of two of its pilots.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has temporarily grounded its remaining SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 training aircraft and suspended training activities involving the platform following a crash in Tuba, Benguet that claimed the lives of two of its pilots.

PAF grounds SF-260 fleet after deadly trainer aircraft crash in Benguet

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PAF grounds SF-260 fleet after deadly trainer aircraft crash in Benguet

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2026 12:59 PM PHT

|

Updated May 21, 2026 01:53 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Air Force

crash

Tuba

Benguet

trainer aircraft

grounded

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