Probe into deadly PAF plane crash to cover several flight aspects – DND

MANILA, Philippines — The investigation into the Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft crash that killed four pilots in Batangas will examine flight planning, pilot training, maintenance and command leadership, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Saturday.

Teodoro said investigators would look into all aspects of the incident, stressing that established accident investigation procedures must not be bypassed.

“Hintayin natin ‘yung accident investigation. Alam mo iyan ay isang in-instill din natin sa Philippine Air Force, tamang proseso ng accident investigation. Merong proseso ‘yan at hindi dapat shino-shortcut,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy’s 128th founding anniversary in Baguio City.

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(Let us wait for the accident investigation. We have been instilling proper accident investigation procedures in the Philippine Air Force. There is a process that must not be bypassed.)

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Teodoro said the investigation would cover administrative procedures and flight planning, as well as the training, attitude and aptitude of student and instructor pilots.

He also disclosed that gaps identified in an earlier aircraft accident had prompted the PAF to pursue corrective measures.

“Nakakita na tayo noon ng mga gaps doon sa unang aksidente na nangyari dito kaya nga hinahabol nung Philippine Air Force ‘yung mga kailangan nilang remedial measures,” he said.

(We previously identified gaps in a previous accident, which is why the Philippine Air Force is pursuing the necessary corrective measures.)

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“Magmula sa curriculum, magmula sa attitude at aptitude ng mga estudyante at saka ng mga instructor pilots, magmula sa command leadership. Kasama lahat ‘yan,” he added.

(From the curriculum and the attitude and aptitude of student and instructor pilots to command leadership, all of these are included.)

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Asked whether the investigation would also examine issues involving aircraft modernization, Teodoro said any findings related to maintenance or modernization would be disclosed.

“Kung merong issue sa maintenance o modernization, lalabas ‘yun. Lahat ‘yan iniimbestigahan,” he said.

(If there are issues involving maintenance or modernization, those will come out. Everything is being investigated.)

Teodoro said the Air Force Safety Office had been strengthened to make it nearly independent, with other experts involved in determining the circumstances surrounding aircraft accidents.

“At kaya pinalakas natin ‘yung Air Force Safety Office na halos maging independent siya kasama ng ibang experts para lumabas ang tunay na pangyayari sa lahat ng aksidente, walang taguan,” he said.

(That is why we strengthened the Air Force Safety Office to make it almost independent, together with other experts, so the truth about all accidents will come out. Nothing will be concealed.)

Teodoro also emphasized the importance of conducting toxicology examinations following fatal accidents, saying these were part of standard procedures that should not be skipped.

He cautioned against speculation while the investigation was underway, noting that premature conclusions could unfairly implicate individuals or shield those responsible.

‘Totally destroyed’

“We know that there were four fatalities and two aircraft that were totally destroyed, and that’s about it,” Teodoro said.

He cited the US National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) practice of carefully reviewing evidence before releasing findings.

“Even in the NTSB they’re very careful in releasing information because it must be factual and not speculative,” he said.

The incident occurred Friday afternoon during a training flight involving two SF-260 aircraft at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas.

PAF spokesperson Col. Alvin Capiñguian earlier said the incident took place at around 3:51 p.m., prompting the immediate deployment of response teams to secure the area and conduct initial assessments.

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Teodoro confirmed that four personnel died and both aircraft were destroyed but declined to provide further details about the fatalities, saying the PAF would release periodic updates. /gsg