PAF trainer aircraft crashes in Lipa

A trainer aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday crashed during a standard training flight at the San Fernando Airbase in Lipa City, Batangas.

In a press statement, the PAF said that the SF260FH Marchetti aircraft “encountered problems” upwind of one of the airbase’s runways during the activity.

Fortunately, none of the pilots were hurt after they successfully maneuvered the plane despite the low altitude.

Also, no damage was reported in nearby communities.

“Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene for the successful extrication of the pilots. Thankfully, both pilots, after going through the mandatory medical checks, have both been declared safe and are undergoing treatment,” the agency said.

The PAF said it would investigate the cause of the incident as they recover and assess the damage to the aircraft.

The Air Force added that flight training had “inherent risks” but assured the public of their “strict” adherence to maintenance and operational protocols. — DVM, GMA Integrated News