Philippine Air Force FA-50PH Destroyed

On March 4, 2025, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) KAI FA-50PH light combat aircraft, serial number 15-002, crashed during a nighttime counter-insurgency mission in Bukidnon province. The aircraft was conducting strikes against insurgent positions when it lost communication with its flight group. Search and rescue operations, supported by C-295 assets, located the wreckage on Mount Kalatungan; both pilots were confirmed deceased. In response to the incident, the PAF has grounded its remaining FA-50 fleet pending a technical investigation. This loss marks a -1 change to the PAF’s active inventory of twelve FA-50PH multi-role fighters.