2 PAF pilots dead in Benguet crash
Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots died after the trainer aircraft they were on crashed into a mountain in Tuba town, Benguet province, on Wednesday morning.
Col. Ma. Christina Basco, PAF spokesperson, confirmed the crash and the fate of the pilots hours after the incident.
“We are deeply saddened to inform that both pilots passed,” Basco said.
The PAF, as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, had yet to release the name of the fatalities pending notice to their families.
Police Lt. Col. Roy Calulot, spokesperson for the Benguet provincial police office, said the SF-260 trainer aircraft, with tail number 10-39, crashed into Mt. Sto. Tomas at Sitio Cabuyao in Tuba’s Barangay Poblacion.
The plane was part of a formation of 10 SF-260 aircraft that took off from Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, en route to Baguio City, according to military reports.
The PAF said it immediately coordinated with local governments and the nearest air base following the crash.
The incident happened around 10:20 a.m. but was reported to local authorities at 11:40 a.m., reports said.
Rugged terrain
Local officials said the pilots were found unconscious and were immediately given emergency assistance before being transported for medical treatment.
Responders from local police units, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Tuba municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, along with villagers, were able to locate the crash site after negotiating a steep and rugged terrain.
