Aviation Safety

PAF confirms FA-50 fighter jet crash in Bukidnon; both pilots lost

Philippine Air Force grounds entire FA-50 fleet following tragic incident at Mt. Kalatungan

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A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH escorts a United States Pacific Air Forces B-52H over contested waters. (Photo from Philippine Air Force via Facebook)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has officially confirmed that its FA-50PH fighter aircraft reported missing yesterday has been located in the mountainous terrain of the Mt. Kalatungan Complex in Bukidnon, Mindanao.

In a statement released on March 5, 2025, the PAF announced with “deep regret and profound sadness” that both pilots aboard the aircraft did not survive the crash.

The aircraft was located by ground troops following an extensive search and rescue operation that began on March 4, 2025. The operation involved coordinated efforts from the PAF, Philippine Army, and local civilian volunteers in the challenging mountainous terrain.

Search teams utilized signals from the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter and beacon systems to narrow down the search area. PAF aircraft conducted aerial searches despite challenging conditions, including dense fog and difficult terrain.

PAF helicopters successfully deployed Army special forces and civilian volunteers for ground searches, eventually leading to the discovery of the crash site.

As a precautionary measure, the PAF has grounded its entire FA-50 fleet pending a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. This standard procedure will help determine if there are any systemic issues that need to be addressed.

The PAF expressed its commitment to providing necessary support to the bereaved families during this difficult time and requested prayers for the fallen pilots.

The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and has been part of the Philippine Air Force’s modernization program. This incident marks the first major accident involving the PAF’s FA-50 fleet since their acquisition.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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