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. 鈥擨NQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 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 鈥渇ull operational status鈥� 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鈥檚 sole aircraft maker.
Castillo said the PAF is now on the 鈥渇inalization stage鈥� 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.
鈥淭his cherished tradition is more than just a ceremony鈥搃t is a moment of prayer, dedication, and gratitude, as we entrust our aircraft, pilots, and personnel to God鈥檚 divine protection,鈥� the 5th Fighter Wing, Air Defense Command, said in a Facebook post.
鈥淲ith 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,鈥� it added.
It said the PAF鈥檚 5th Fighter Wing 鈥渟tands 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.鈥�
Last week, Castillo said lifting the grounding of the PAF-50 fighter jets would allow the aircraft to 鈥済et back to their essential missions of maritime patrol, airspace security and support to ongoing focus military operations.鈥�