Warbird Information Exchange

Two PAF pilots die in Tarlac plane crash
February 25, 2010 12:50 am
MANILA, Feb. 24 — Two Air Force pilots died after a bomber plane crashed while engaged in a military exercise with United States counterparts at the Crow Valley in Capas town in Tarlac province Wednesday afternoon.


Killed in the plane crash were Capt. Jose Enriquez Leonardo Corpuz and 1Lt. Apollo Carandang. Their bodies are due to be brought tonight to the Villamor Air Base, home of the Philippine Air Force in Pasay City, officials said.

Maj. Gen. Lino Horacio Lapinid, commander of the 1st Air Division, said an investigation will be conducted why the OV-10 plane crashed at 2:45 p.m.

Lapinid said the plane took off from Clark Air Base in Angeles City to take part in the Teak Piston, a joint exercise with the US, that commenced early this month.

“It was involved in an air to ground delivery of bomb… It was carrying practice bomb, we use practice bombs during such exercise,” he said.

He said no Philippine or US aircraft was flying with the ill-fated aircraft at the time of the simulated bombing run. Last Jan. 28, a Nomad plane of the Air Force crashed in Cotabato City while transporting military commanders who attended a command conference. Eight military personnel died in the incident, including 3rd Air Division chief Maj. Gen. Mario Butch Lacson.

Lapinid could not immediately say what caused the crash. “As of now, we have to wait for the results of the investigation. Definitely, an investigation will be conducted. I have nothing to say but we’ll have to wait for the results of the investigation,” he said.

Last Jan. 4, an OV-10 malfunctioned while landing at the Davao City airport during a regular Maintenance Operations Check Flight. The landing gear of the aircraft collapsed during the landing. No one was killed or injured in the incident.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Gerardo Zamudio said all their OV-10 planes were grounded as a result. “As a standard procedure, all OV-10 aircraft are grounded, pending the result of an investigation by a team that was immediately sent by the PAF,” he said. The Air Force has two remaining OV-10s. (PNA)