Philippine Air Force OV-10s grounded following crash

Following the crash of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) OV-10 630 Bronco bomber belonging to the 15th Strike Wing off Palawan on Sunday night, the military's OV-10s have been temporarily grounded while investigation on the incident is underway.

The two-seat twin-turboprop reportedly crashed while attempting to land at the city's airport following a training mission with a second OV-10. The two crew members were listed as missing at the time of writing, and a search-and-rescue operation is ongoing.

The PAF has four OV-10A and five OV-10C light attack aircraft that have been in service since 1991 and 2003 respectively, although it is not clear from the reports which variant was lost in this accident.

"As per instructions by our PAF chief Lt. Gen. (Lauro Catalino) dela Cruz, all our OV-10s are temporarily grounded. The 15th Strike Wing has also convened a board of inquiry that will lead the crash investigation," Okol said.

He added that the Air Force only has eight remaining OV-10s after the plane with plate 630 crashed Sunday night.

Okol also maintained that the Broncos under the Air Force's care were in good condition even as they were second-hand acquisitions from the United States.

"They have received a good number of upgrades, and we maintain them very well," he said.

The PAF's OV-10 planes are designed for surveillance and short flights, and also carried heavy ammunition such as rockets and bombs.


Source: MANILA, Philippines - By Camille Diola (philstar.com) News - 24 June 2013

Photo: The Philippine Air Force (Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas - PAF) Rockwell OV-10 Bronco counterinsurgency (COIN) Aircraft crashed into the sea near Puerto Princesa City on 23 June, national media reported. A U.S. Marine Corps crash, fire, and rescue team respond to a downed Philippine air force OV-10 Bronco aircraft that swerved off the runway upon landing at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Philippines, Oct. 24, 2006. The Marines, attached to Marine Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Unit, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, are in the Philippines participating in the bilateral training exercises Talon Vision '07 and Amphibious Landing Exercise '07, which are designed to enhance interoperability and professional relations between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces. (Photo by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Ricardo Morales)


(24.06.2013)