Grounded OV-10 planes to fly again

MANILA, Philippines - The OV-10 bomber planes of the Philippine Air Force are free to fly again as the military lifted the grounding it imposed in the wake of a plane crash in Zamboanga City this month.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the planes were cleared to fly after investigators found them air worthy.

“Based on the recommendations of 15th Strike Wing commander Brig. Gen. Rene Samonte, the OV-10 grounding can be lifted since the special inspection has been conducted on aircraft systems which were isolated and identified,” he said.

Okol said the remaining OV-10 planes “passed all airworthiness parameters and are safe to operate again.”

He said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena had approved the recommendations of Samonte and placed the OV-10 units back to operational status.

Two Air Force pilots were injured after an OV-10 bomber plane crashed in Zamboanga City on Nov. 9. The ill-fated plane crashed after coming from a test flight.

The two pilots, identified as Maj. David Trajano and Lt. Adonis Buscas, survived by bailing out seconds before the crash, which occurred at around 9:50 a.m.

The plane was totally wrecked but did not cause damage to the nearby structures where it crashed. Rabena has ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

Okol said investigations into the crash are ongoing.

The OV-10 fixed wing aircraft is being used in the military’s campaign against lawless elements in Mindanao. The plane is used to provide air support to ground troops. There are about 12 OV-10 units in the Air Force inventory.