- The bodies of two crew members were found in the wreckage of an FA-50 fighter jet.
- The jet had been providing air support in a combat mission against communist rebels.
- The wreckage was located on Mount Kalatungan, one of the tallest mountains in the Philippines.
- An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
- The Philippine Air Force has grounded its FA-50 fleet until the investigation concludes.
On Wednesday (March 5, 2025), Philippine military rescuers discovered the wreckage of an FA-50 fighter jet. The aircraft had gone missing the previous day while providing air support to ground troops combating communist insurgents. Unfortunately, the crash took the lives of two crew members, who rescuers found inside the wreckage.
The wreckage was located on Mount Kalatungan, a 2,880-meter peak in Bukidnon province, Mindanao. This mountain, one of the tallest in the Philippines, posed challenges due to its rough terrain. As a result, recovery efforts became more difficult. Lt. Gen. Luis Rex Bergante, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, later confirmed that rescuers had found the crew members’ bodies inside the wreckage.
Bergante described the scene, stating, “The bodies were found inside the aircraft. There was an attempt to open a parachute and eject. The aircraft was a total wreck, smashed through the trees in the mountain.” Despite the crew’s efforts to eject, neither of them survived the crash.
The Search Operation and Challenges
The search for the missing jet began immediately after it disappeared from radar while providing air support during a firefight between the Philippine military and the New People’s Army (NPA). Lt. Col. Francisco Garello of the 4th Infantry Division reported that the search had to be suspended overnight due to the presence of communist rebels in the area, making the terrain dangerous for recovery teams.
However, by Wednesday, the recovery operation resumed. The immediate goal of military personnel is to retrieve the bodies of the crew members and bring them down from the mountainous crash site. The dangerous environment and ongoing security risks presented by insurgent groups have made the operation difficult and time-consuming.
The Cause of the Crash
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of FA-50 fighter jets pending the results of a thorough inquiry. In a statement, the PAF emphasized its commitment to ensuring a swift investigation while maintaining the operational readiness of its forces.
Air Force spokeswoman Col. Consuelo Castillo noted, “The investigation will be thorough but swift enough for us not to sacrifice our operational readiness,” adding that the FA-50s are vital to the country’s maritime patrols, particularly over the contested South China Sea.
The FA-50 fighter jets, which the Philippines purchased from South Korea in the past decade, play a crucial role in the country’s defense strategy, including joint air patrols with the United States. These jets are regularly used in exercises and operations over the disputed waters, where tensions with China have been rising.
Background on FA-50 Jets and the Philippine Military
The FA-50s are a key part of the Philippine Air Force’s modernization. Between 2015 and 2017, the country purchased 12 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea as part of a larger effort to strengthen its military. These jets serve various roles, such as air defense, training, and supporting ground operations, including the one during which the crash occurred.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force hoped to expand its fleet by buying 12 more FA-50s. The Department of National Defense is currently reviewing this proposal. However, the crash has raised important questions about the safety and maintenance of the country’s air assets.
Recent Military Aircraft Accidents
The tragic FA-50 crash adds to a series of deadly military aircraft accidents in the Philippines. Just a few months earlier, in April 2024, two navy pilots lost their lives when their helicopter crashed near Manila. Similarly, in January 2023, two Philippine Air Force pilots were killed in a separate crash involving a Marchetti SF260 turboprop plane.
These incidents have sparked concerns about military aircraft safety. As a result, many are calling for increased maintenance, more comprehensive pilot training, and more attention to aircraft performance. These measures are crucial to preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Currently, the Philippine Air Force is investigating the cause of the FA-50 crash. Their priority is recovering the remains of the fallen crew members and offering support to their families. At the same time, the military is doing everything it can to ensure operations continue smoothly despite the temporary grounding of the FA-50 fleet.
Although the families of the deceased have not been publicly identified, the nation deeply feels their loss. Military personnel have paid tribute to their service and bravery in this tragic event.