PAF lifts grounding of FA-50 jets; crash probe on final stage
FIRST RECORDED ACCIDENT The South Korea-made fighter jet that crashed was one of the first FA-50s delivered during the
Aquino III administration. Photo shows two of them arriving at Clark Air Base, Pampanga, on Dec. 1, 2016. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has lifted the grounding of the 11 remaining FA-50 fighter jets less than a month after the crash of one of its aircraft in Bukidnon province that killed two pilots.
Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, told the Inquirer on Tuesday that the FA-50 fleet has been on “full operational status” since March 25.
In March, the PAF decided to ground its remaining 11 FA-50 jets amid an ongoing investigation on the death of the two of its pilots, Major Jude Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John Dadulla, after their fighter jet crashed at Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon.
READ: PAF grounds FA-50 fleet after fatal Bukidnon crash
The March 4 crash was the first recorded accident since the government acquired 12 units of FA-50 fighter jets from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), South Korea’s sole aircraft maker.
Castillo said the PAF is now on the “finalization stage” of an official report on the ill-fated fighter jet.
On Monday, the PAF conducted a blessing ceremony for the pilots and the remaining FA-50 fighter 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.
It said the PAF’s 5th Fighter Wing “stands strong, ready to soar, and committed to its mission-guarding the skies with unwavering faith, discipline, and courage. With blessings above, we fly with purpose and serve with honor.”
Last week, Castillo said lifting the grounding of the PAF-50 fighter jets would allow the aircraft to “get back to their essential missions of maritime patrol, airspace security and support to ongoing focus military operations.”
