2 pilots of missing fighter jet found dead

Metro Manila, Philippines - Two pilots of a missing fighter jet have been found dead on Wednesday, March 5, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced.

The FA-50 aircraft, which went missing while conducting tactical night operations early Tuesday, was located in Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon on Wednesday.

PAF spokesperson Col. Bon Castillo said it is the first recorded accident involving the aircraft.

“It was a crash. All the indications point to it, the wreckage,” she told reporters in a virtual press conference.

“All our pilots who are checked out and qualified to fly the FA-50 go through rigorous training. They are trained both for day and night operations,” Castillo said.

The PAF spokesperson said the fighter jet was providing support to ground troops.

Following the incident, the PAF is left with 11 FA-50, which are all grounded pending investigation.

The probe will look into the weather when the crash occurred, pilots’ behavior, and aircraft maintenance and discrepancy records, among others.