The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has lifted the grounding of its 11 remaining FA-50 fighter jets, less than a month after a crash in Bukidnon claimed the lives of two pilots.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the FA-50 fleet has been on “full operational status” since March 25.
The jets were grounded following the March 4 crash of an FA-50 at Mt. Kalatungan, which resulted in the deaths of Major Jude Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John Dadulla.
The incident marked the first recorded accident involving the FA-50s since the Philippine government acquired 12 units from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer.
According to Castillo, the PAF is now in the final stages of completing its official report on the crash.
On Monday, the Air Force held a blessing ceremony for the fallen pilots and the remaining FA-50 jets.
“This cherished tradition is more than just a ceremony–it is a moment of prayer, dedication, and gratitude, as we entrust our aircraft, pilots, and personnel to God’s divine protection,” the 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command said in a Facebook post.
“With every mission we undertake, we seek His guidance for safe flights and ground operations, ensuring that we uphold the highest standards of excellence, safety, and service throughout the year,” it added.
Last week, Castillo said that lifting the grounding of the PAF-50 fighter jets would enable them to resume their critical missions, including maritime patrol, airspace security, and support for ongoing military operations.
Earlier, the PAF said its flight data recorder will be sent to the US for data extraction.
The device could reveal the aircraft’s altitude, speed, and flight path, helping investigators determine the cause of the crash.