Navy to use sonar sensors in search for 2 missing PAF pilots

MANILA, Philippines – Search and rescue operations for the missing two Air Force pilots of OV-10 plane that crashed on Sunday off Puerto Princesa City were stepped up Tuesday with the use of sonar sensors.

First Lieutenant Cherry Tindog, spokesperson of Western Command, said the search team will use the equipment, which has the ability to locate submerged objects.

She said the portable equipment was rented from a civilian owner and will be mounted on a rubber boat used by Navy divers.

“We are hopeful that the search operation will generate positive results today, and we are praying hard that our pilots are safe,” she said.

During Monday’s search by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy, they were able to recover the cargo bay door,  inflatable life raft, fuel tank, green cushion chair and a nose part.

A nose wheel was also recovered by a fisherman in Tagburos Wharf, Tindog said.

The search team brought the recovered debris to the Air Force’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing in Palawan for custody.

The plane that took off about 6:30 p.m. Sunday from Puerto Princesa Airport made last transmission to Palawan Tower at about 7:30 p.m.

The crash led to the grounding of the OV-10 Bronco fleet of the Air Force.