Fighter Jet Wreckage Found, 2 Pilots Confirmed Dead
FIGHTER JET – A tragic crash unfolded as the wreckage of a fighter jet was discovered, confirming the deaths of two pilots.
After hours of exhaustive search and recovery operations, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed its worst fears—the wreckage of the missing FA-50 fighter jet has been found on Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon. Tragically, the bodies of its two pilots were discovered at the crash site.
The FA-50 disappeared shortly after midnight on March 4 while providing air support for ground troops engaged in combat with the New People’s Army (NPA).
A joint effort involving the PAF, the Philippine Army, and local civilian volunteers was launched to locate the missing aircraft. PAF air assets utilized signals from the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter and locator beacons to guide their search. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo stated that despite difficult terrain and dense fog, helicopters managed to deploy Army Special Forces and civilian volunteers for ground searches.
The Philippine Army’s 493rd Brigade, based in Malaybalay, also dispatched helicopters and rescue groups to the area by noon on March 4, said Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, spokesperson for the Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command.
Reports indicate that the FA-50 was on a mission to conduct an airstrike against more than 100 armed NPA rebels near the boundary of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur when it crashed around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Following the incident, the PAF grounded its remaining FA-50 fleet, which includes 11 other jets, pending a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash.
“We are committed to providing all necessary support to the bereaved families during this difficult time,” Castillo stated.
The Philippine Army extended its condolences, recognizing the pilots’ heroism and sacrifice. “Their bravery will continue to inspire the Philippine Army in its relentless pursuit of peace and stability,” said Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala.
Authorities are investigating all possible factors contributing to the crash, including mechanical failure, pilot error, and weather conditions. The FA-50 was part of a fleet acquired from South Korea in 2015 and delivered in 2017.
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