PAF probes new crash, suspends training flights

After the crash of another training aircraft in Tarlac province last Monday, the Philippine Air Force has grounded its remaining training airplanes while an investigation on the incident is going on. PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Miguel Okol said a probe is ongoing on the crash, where two PAF personnel emerged unhurt. "Nag-dispatch kami ng investigation team to look into the incident (We dispatched an investigating team to look into the incident)," Okol said in an interview on dzBB radio. But radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported that at least three other AS-211 jets used for training flights will be grounded. Initial investigation showed the AS-211's two pilots were able to eject and land safely when the plane crashed in Concepcion town in Tarlac Monday morning. The AS-211 training aircraft with tail number 024 crashed in Santiago village. Pilot Maj. Wilfredo Donato and co-pilot 1Lt. Jose Wilbert Leonides Martinez, both of the Air Defense Wing, were not hurt. To recall, a PAF’s OV-10 crashed in Tarlac last February 26. Two Air Force personnel were killed. [See: PAF eyeing 'human or material failure' behind OV-10 plane crash] On January 28, an Air Force plane crashed in Cotabato in the southern Philippines, killing nine PAF personnel. [See: Engine trouble eyed as cause of Cotabato plane crash] — LBG, GMANews.TV