PAF: Collided trainer planes serviceable, airworthy before crash
ARMED Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete visits the wakes of the four Philippine Air Force pilots killed in a 23 October training flight mishap at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas. Nafarrete expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and pledged the military’s continuing support.
Photograph courtesy of afp
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday clarified that two trainer aircraft involved in a fatal midair collision in Lipa City, Batangas, last week were fully airworthy and well within their operational lifespan.
Speaking at a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Jay Capinguian dismissed concerns over the age of the SF-260 trainer planes, which collided 23 October resulting in the deaths of four military aviators.
“In aviation, we would like to dispel the notion of old age,” Capinguian said.
“Aircraft airworthiness is not determined by chronological age. Each aircraft has associated operating hours that gauge its operational capability. The planes involved were well within their airframe operating hours and had several years of service remaining,” he added.
Capinguian clarified that the deceased airmen were not flight students but seasoned military pilots undergoing advanced upgrade training.
The Air Force identified the victims as Capt. Raymart Cabangcala, Maj. David Joshua Rojo, Capt. Ma. Melvin Acebuque and 1st Lt. Angeleo Adrian Peñaflor.
The Air Force acquired and took delivery of its SF-260 fleet between 2010 and 2011. The remaining fleet of SF-260 aircraft remains grounded as a precautionary measure while safety investigators inspect the fleet.
Military crash investigators have secured the crash site, collected wreckage debris, and initiated a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the collision.
Capinguian declined to share preliminary findings to avoid fueling speculation while field verifications are underway.
On Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete visited the wakes of Rojo, Acebuque and Peñaflor at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City before attending Cabangcala’s wake at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Nafarrete expressed condolences and assured the bereaved families of full financial, logistical and medical support from the military establishment.