- Bodies of two pilots found near FA-50 crash site in Bukidnon
SEARCH and rescue team traced the pilot locator beacons to the wreckage site of the missing Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet in Mt. Kalatungan, Barangay Mirayon, Talakag, Bukidnon at around 9 a.m. on March 5, 2025.
Tragically, the team, led by the 1st Special Forces Battalion under the 403rd Brigade, confirmed that both pilots did not survive the crash.
Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, spokesperson for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said, “The FA-50 and the pilots were found in Mt. Kalatungan. They were located at a high altitude, and recovery efforts are ongoing.”
The jet was called in on Monday night to provide air support to government troops battling communist rebels in Bukidnon.
A full-scale search and rescue operation involving the PAF, Philippine Army, and local civilian volunteers was launched immediately after the jet lost contact.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo detailed the challenging conditions faced by the search teams, including dense fog and difficult terrain. Despite these obstacles, PAF helicopters successfully deployed Army special forces and civilian volunteers to conduct ground searches.
The PAF has grounded its FA-50 fleet and pledged a thorough investigation into the accident.
“We are committed to providing all the necessary support to the bereaved families during this difficult time,” the PAF statement read. “We also request the nation’s prayers for the eternal repose of our fallen pilots, whose service and heroism we deeply honor.”
The missing jet and search efforts
The FA-50 was part of a three-jet flight that took off from Mactan Air Base in Cebu around 11:34 p.m. on March 4. The flight lead lost contact with the jet approximately 40 nautical miles from the target area. The other two FA-50s landed safely at Mactan Air Base around 12:49 a.m.
Despite the communication loss, the pilot of the missing jet reportedly continued the mission and dropped ordnance on the target. Attempts to re-establish contact during the return flight to Mactan were unsuccessful.
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50s multipurpose fighter jets starting in 2015 from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.
Photo courtesy of Rhoda Grace B Saron
