file photo of Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jet

Responding soldiers recovered the flight data recorder from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) fighter jet that crashed in the mountains of northern Mindanao, military officials said as they also disclosed that plans are being finalized to honor the two pilots.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said they hope to determine what went wrong during the flight based on the details that would be taken from the retrieved flight data recorder/

“It will be brought to the experts and what we were going to find there, the usual, the data, flight data, all the fight data, the altitude, the airspeed, all the other things,” said Castillo.

The PAF’s FA-50 fighter jet crashed on Tuesday, March 4, while providing air support to the ground troops that were battling communist rebels in Bukidnon.

The two pilots on board died as the plane was totally wrecked as a result of the crash. The remains of the two pilots were extracted from thje debris. 

Castillo would not disclosed further details of the incident, sating there is an ongoing investigation to determine what caused the incident.

“Because the investigation is still ongoing, we cannot conclusively say what happened, if they rammed (the mountains) or if they fell or if there was an engine. These are all speculations that we can only verify after a comprehensive investigation has been done,” said Castillo.

The PAF investigators, she said, have already reached the crash site which is currently being secured by elite military forces. 

Castillo also disclosed that they are in constant coordination with the family of the two pilots. 

“We have requested the families to have the remains of the pilots brought to Manila because we would want to give our aircrew the appropriate honors upon their arrival here in Villamor Air Base,” said Castillo. 

“There will be awards given to them as well as all the necessary assistance that will be given to the family,” she added.