Batangas map. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Air Force trainer aircraft crashed within the perimeters of Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, on Monday morning.
An SF260FH Marchetti trainer aircraft encountered some upwind while on a training flight down Runway 21, and it didn’t stand a chance and crashed at the base.
“Despite the low altitude, the pilots were able to maneuver the aircraft to an open area within the air base’s perimeter, causing no harm and damage to nearby communities,” the PAF said in a statement.
The yet unidentified pilots — an instructor and a student — have been extricated from the aircraft and are now declared safe.
“Thankfully, both pilots, after going through the mandatory medical checks, have both been declared safe and are undergoing treatment,” the Air Force also said.
PAF said the aircraft is currently being recovered and assessed while an investigation of the incident has already begun.