필리핀 공군, 훈련기 2대 공중충돌로 파일럿 4명 사망

[위종민]

10월 23일 필리핀 바탕가스주 리파시의 페르난도 공군기지에서 SF-260 훈련기 2대가 공중충돌해 파일럿 4명이 사망했네요. 

지난 5월 20일에는 장거리 항법비행훈련 중 벵게트주 투바에 추락해 파일럿 2명이 사망한 적이 있다고 합니다. 

# 필리핀, 공군 조종사 4명 사망한 SF-260 공중충돌 사고 조사

진 카르멜라 림

편집: 에마 예이츠배들리

2026년 10월 26일 오후 6시 4분(GMT+9)

읽는 시간 3분

(사진: Robert Buchel / Shutterstock.com)

필리핀 국방부(DND)는 2026년 10월 23일 바탕가스주 리파시에 있는 페르난도 공군기지에서 필리핀 공군(PAF)의 SF-260 훈련기 2대가 충돌해 탑승한 조종사 4명 전원이 사망한 사고에 대한 조사에 착수했다.

필리핀 데일리 인콰이어러가 보도한 성명에서 국방부는 “사실관계를 규명하고, 원인을 파악하며, 시정조치가 필요한 문제점을 확인하고, 유사한 비극의 재발을 방지하기 위해 철저하고 객관적으로 조사를 실시할 것”이라고 밝혔다. 국방부는 또한 “투명성과 책임성을 유지하고 장병들의 안전을 보장하기 위해 계속 노력할 것”이라고 덧붙였다.

## 조사 대상에 훈련, 정비, 지휘체계 포함

길베르토 테오도로 주니어 국방장관은 조사에 비행계획, 행정절차, 조종사 훈련, 정비, 지휘부의 지휘활동이 포함될 것이라고 밝혔다. 조사관들은 학생 조종사와 교관 조종사 모두의 태도와 적성도 평가할 예정이다.

테오도로 장관에 따르면 조사관들은 항공기의 정비기록을 추적하고 회수 가능한 모든 부품을 보존할 예정이다. 또한 사고에 관련된 조종사들의 과거 수행 실적을 검토하고, 검사에 사용할 시료가 남아 있다면 독성학 검사도 실시할 계획이다. 테오도로 장관은 사망사고 이후 실시하는 독성학 검사가 표준절차이며 생략해서는 안 된다고 말했다.

공군 안전실이 조사를 주도할 예정이다. 테오도로 장관은 현지 기자들에게 공군 안전실이 “거의 독립적인” 조직이 되도록 강화됐으며, 다른 전문가들과 협력해 “모든 사고에 관한 진실이 밝혀지도록 할 것”이라고 말했다. 그는 “어떠한 것도 은폐되지 않을 것”이라고 강조했다.

또한 필요하다면 다른 기관이나 협력국의 기술적 전문지식을 도입하는 데도 필리핀 공군이 열려 있다고 덧붙였다.

ABS-CBN 뉴스에 따르면 테오도로 장관은 이번 사고가 이와 같은 유형의 세 번째 사고라고 설명하면서 구조적인 문제가 존재할 가능성을 제기했다.

항공기단의 노후화가 사고에 영향을 미쳤는지에 관한 질문에 테오도로 장관은 정비나 현대화와 관련해 밝혀지는 모든 조사 결과를 공개할 것이라고 답했다. 그는 다른 나라 군대에서도 더 오래된 훈련기를 운용하고 있다는 점을 지적하면서, 기령이 오래됐다는 사실만으로 항공기가 안전하지 않게 되는 것은 아니라고 말했다.

테오도로 장관은 조사가 진행되는 동안 추측을 삼가야 한다고 경고했다. 그는 성급한 결론이 무고한 개인에게 부당하게 책임을 돌리거나 실제 책임이 있는 사람들을 보호하는 결과로 이어질 수 있다고 경고했다. 그는 미국 국가교통안전위원회(NTSB)를 사례로 들었다. 인콰이어러가 인용한 그의 발언에 따르면 “NTSB조차 정보를 공개할 때 매우 신중합니다. 정보는 추측이 아니라 사실에 기반해야 하기 때문입니다.”

테오도로 장관은 사고 항공기들이 근접 편대비행을 포함한 군사훈련을 수행하고 있었다고 설명했다. 근접 편대비행은 항공기 편대의 레이더 반사 신호를 줄이는 핵심 전술기술이다.

## 5개월 만에 발생한 두 번째 SF-260 사망사고

사고는 2026년 10월 23일 현지시간 오후 3시 51분 단발엔진 SF-260 항공기 2대가 훈련비행을 수행하던 중 발생했다.

두 항공기 모두 기지 경계 안쪽에 추락했으며, 그 밖의 인명피해는 보고되지 않았다.

필리핀 공군은 조사가 진행되는 동안 예방조치로 SF-260 항공기단 전체의 비행을 중단시켰다. 필리핀 공군은 페이스북 성명에서 “필리핀 공군은 2026년 10월 23일 페르난도 공군기지에서 훈련비행 중 SF-260 항공기 2대와 관련된 항공사고로 조종사 4명을 잃은 것을 애도합니다. 유가족과 사랑하는 사람들, 동료 공군 장병들에게 깊은 애도를 표합니다”라고 밝혔다.

필리핀 공군은 유가족들을 지원하고 있으며, 대중에게 이들의 사생활을 존중해 달라고 요청했다.

이번 사고는 또 다른 SF-260 사망사고가 발생한 지 5개월 만에 일어났다. 2026년 5월 20일에는 SF-260 한 대가 장거리 항법훈련 비행 이후 벵게트주 투바에 추락해 여성 교관 조종사와 학생 조종사가 사망했다.

Philippines probes SF-260 collision that killed four pilots - AeroTime

Philippines probes SF-260 collision that killed four pilots - AeroTime

Philippines probes fatal SF-260 midair collision that killed four PAF pilots

ByJean Carmela Lim

Edited ByEmma Yates-Badley

2026년 10월 26일 18:04 GMT+9

3 minute read

fxin

Robert Buchel / Shutterstock.com

The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) has opened an investigation into a crash involving two Philippine Air Force (PAF) SF-260 trainer aircraft at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, on October 23, 2026, which killed all four pilots on board.

In a statement reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the DND said the probe “will be conducted thoroughly and objectively to establish the facts, determine the causes, and identify any gaps that require corrective action and prevent similar tragedies.” The department added that it remains committed “to transparency, accountability, and ensuring the safety of our personnel.”

Probe to cover training, maintenance and command

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the investigation will cover flight planning, administrative procedures, pilot training, maintenance and command leadership. Investigators will also assess the attitude and aptitude of both the student and instructor pilots.

According to Teodoro, investigators will trace the aircraft’s maintenance records and preserve any parts that can be salvaged. They will also review the past performance of the pilots involved and carry out toxicology tests if samples are still available. Teodoro said toxicology examinations after fatal accidents are standard procedure and should not be skipped.

The Air Force Safety Office will lead the investigation. Teodoro told local reporters that the office had been strengthened to make it “almost independent” and is working with other experts, “so the truth about all accidents will come out. Nothing will be concealed.” 

He added that the PAF is open to bringing in technical expertise from other agencies or partner countries if needed.

ABS-CBN News reported that Teodoro described this as the third such accident, raising the possibility of a systemic problem.

Asked whether the age of the fleet played a role, Teodoro said any findings on maintenance or modernization would be made public. He noted that age alone does not make an aircraft unsafe, pointing out that other armed forces operate even older trainers. 

Teodoro cautioned against speculation while the investigation is underway. He warned that premature conclusions could unfairly implicate individuals or shield those responsible. He cited the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as an example. “Even in the NTSB they’re very careful in releasing information because it must be factual and not speculative,” he said, as quoted by Inquirer.

Teodoro explained that the aircraft were conducting military training that includes close formation flying, a core tactical skill that reduces an aircraft group’s radar signature.

Second fatal SF-260 crash in five months

The accident happened at 15:51 local time on October 23, 2026, during a training flight involving two single-engine SF-260 aircraft. 

Both aircraft came down within the base perimeter, and no other casualties were reported. 

The PAF has grounded its entire SF-260 fleet as a precaution while the investigation continues. “The Philippine Air Force mourns the loss of four pilots in an aviation accident involving two SF-260 aircraft during a training flight at Fernando Air Base on October 23, 2026. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families, loved ones, and fellow airmen,” the PAF said in a Facebook statement.

The PAF said it is assisting the families and asked the public to respect their privacy.

The accident came five months after another fatal SF-260 crash. On May 20, 2026, an SF-260 went down in Tuba, Benguet, after a long-range navigation training flight, killing an instructor pilot and her student.

[백선호]

몇 년 전 우리나라에서도 비슷한 사고가... ㅠ.ㅠ

[위종민]

https://www.hankookilbo.com/news/article/A2022042717400005248

2022년 이 사고 말씀이시군요 ㅜㅜ