Remains of Two Crew Members Located as Authorities Launch Investigation
Philippine search teams have recovered the wreckage of an FA-50 fighter jet that went missing while on a combat mission in Mindanao. The remains of both crew members were found within the debris on Wednesday (Mar 5), according to military officials.
The aircraft, which disappeared the previous day while providing air support to government forces fighting communist rebels, was discovered on Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon province, one of the country’s tallest peaks.
Lieutenant General Luis Rex Bergante, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, confirmed that the bodies of the two crew members were still inside the aircraft. He noted that there had been an attempt to eject before the crash, but the parachute deployment was unsuccessful.
“The aircraft is completely wrecked. It crashed through the trees in the mountain,” Bergante stated.
Efforts are now focused on retrieving the servicemen’s remains from the challenging mountainous landscape.
Fleet Grounded Pending Investigation
The Philippine Air Force has temporarily suspended operations of its FA-50 fleet pending a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The aircraft was part of a dozen FA-50 fighter jets acquired from South Korea in recent years.
Air Force spokesperson Colonel Consuelo Castillo described the incident as the first major crash involving the FA-50 squadron, which has been actively used in joint patrols with the United States over contested waters in the South China Sea.
“We hope the investigation will be both thorough and swift, ensuring that we maintain operational readiness while prioritising safety,” Castillo said.
Challenging Search Conditions
Rescue operations were initially delayed due to the presence of armed communist groups believed to be operating in the area. Military officials reported that, on the day of the crash, government troops had requested air support during clashes with the New People’s Army, a dwindling Maoist insurgency.
The FA-50 had taken off from Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, a key military facility also used for civilian air traffic.
Recent Military Aviation Incidents
The crash adds to a series of aviation tragedies involving Philippine military aircraft in recent years.
In April 2024, two navy pilots lost their lives when a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed during a training flight south of Manila. A year earlier, two Philippine Air Force pilots died after their Marchetti SF260 turboprop aircraft crashed into a rice field.
Despite the setback, the Air Force remains committed to expanding its capabilities. Officials have proposed purchasing 12 additional FA-50 jets, with the request currently under review by the Department of National Defense.
