One of 2 pilots in fatal FA-50 crash was about to get married

One of the pilots in the deadly crash of an FA-50 fighter jet in Bukidnon was supposed to exchange vows with his fiancée on March 15. 

According to Chino Gaston’s report on "24 Oras" on Thursday, 1st Lieutenant AJ Dadulla looked forward to spending time with her bride after the wedding.

“Nagtatanong siya kung bibilhan ba namin ng wheelchair yung papa namin…para sa kanyang kasal. Pagkatapos ng kasal, gusto niya munang mag-spend nang ilang mga araw o siguro linggo kasama ‘yung mapapangasawa niya po,” said Jovenel Dadulla, the victim’s brother. 

(He asked if we had to buy our father a wheelchair for the wedding. After the wedding, he planned to spend a few days, perhaps a week with his wife.) 

“Tinitingnan na lang po na si AJ ay nakapagbuwis ng kanyang buhay para sa bayan. Sa ganoon po ay medyo gumagaan nang kaunti ang aming pakiramdam,” Jovenel added. 

(The way we look at it, AJ sacrificed his life for the country. This way, it somehow eases how we feel.) 

The other casualty was Major Jude Salang-oy, a veteran pilot who was a part of the PAF's historic deployment to the recent Pitchblack Exercise in Darwin, Australia. 

Both Salang-oy and Dadulla were members of the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron or Bulldogs.

The bodies of the two pilots were also recovered from the crash site earlier in the day. 

The remains were brought to a funeral parlor in Cagayan de Oro and will be flown on Friday or Saturday to Villamor Airbase for military honors. 

Further, authorities have already recovered the plane’s flight data recorder which could help determine the speed, elevation, and condition of the aircraft when the accident occurred. 

The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) investigation team has already arrived at the crash site in Bukidnon to conduct a forensic investigation. 

Among the angles they are looking at for the crash of the fighter jet are possible mechanical problems as well as human factors. 

“We are going to look at all angles. Yes, you’ve mentioned material factor, mechanical factors, human factor -  we are going to look at their medical records, mental state records, and aside from that, environmental is also a factor,” said PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News