PAF says bombers safe, may fly again
The Philippine Air Force’s OV-10 Bronco bombers have been cleared to fly again 13 days after they were grounded following a crash in Zamboanga City.
PAF commanding general Lieutenant General Oscar Rabena on Monday ordered the OV-10s placed back on operational status after inspection found them to be safe to fly.
The PAF grounded its remaining fleet of 12 OV-10s on November 9 within hours of one of the twin-engine planes crashing at Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City during a test flight.
The plane’s right engine conked out and failed to restart, prompting an emergency landing. The two pilots were able to bail out seconds before the crash but they suffered injuries. The plane was a total wreck.
Brigadier General Rene Samonte, commander of the 15th Strike Wing, recommended the lifting of the grounding order after the planes passed a special inspection.
