<!-- wp:image {"id":2231888,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2026/05/Benguet-crash-21may2026.jpg" alt="The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has grounded all 16 remaining SF260 Marchetti trainer aircraft following the crash of one of its planes in Benguet that killed two pilots during a training mission." class="wp-image-2231888" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">WRECKAGE Search and rescue teams organized by local governments found this wreckage of the Philippine Air Force trainer plane in the forests of Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba, Benguet, a few hours after it crashed on Wednesday morning, killing its two pilots. —PHOTO COURTESY OF BENGUET BOARD MEMBER OLIVER PAUS</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has grounded all 16 remaining SF260 Marchetti trainer aircraft following the crash of one of its planes in Benguet that killed two pilots during a training mission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Yes, the remaining 16 SF260s are grounded pending the investigation,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said in a message to reporters on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PAF earlier confirmed the deaths of 1st Lt. Ruth Angelique Pasos, an instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Cherky Embudo, an aviation student, following the crash in Tuba, Benguet on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to the Air Force, the aircraft went down at around 10:20 a.m. in Barangay Cabuyao during a long navigation training flight under the military’s pilot training program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>READ: <a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2231868/2-paf-pilots-dead-in-benguet-crash/">2 PAF pilots dead in Benguet crash</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ill-fated plane was among 11 SF260 trainer aircraft that departed Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas en route to Baguio City. However, only 10 planes completed the flight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Responders later found the two pilots unconscious at the crash site and rushed them to a hospital in Baguio City, where they later died from multiple injuries sustained in the accident, the PAF said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the incident, the Air Force suspended all training activities involving the SF260 fleet while investigators determine the cause of the crash.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basco said other aircraft platforms used for flight training would continue operating during the suspension of SF260 training missions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a statement, the PAF mourned the deaths of the two airmen, describing them as dedicated personnel whose “courage, dedication, and commitment to duty” would be remembered by the military organization and the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their memory will continue to inspire generations of Filipino airmen,” the PAF said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Air Force also assured the families of the fatalities of full institutional support as the investigation continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SF260 is a military trainer aircraft used by the PAF primarily for pilot instruction and training missions. /jpv</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->