2 hurt as PAF bomber plane crashes near Zambo air base

A Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco plane crashed near the runway of the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City Wednesday morning after encountering engine trouble, a local military spokesman said. Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, said the two pilots of the bomber plane ejected to safety but are undergoing checkup at the base's clinic. "Sa kabutihan nakaligtas ang dalawang pilots. They were trying to land the plane on one engine, medyo nag-stall ang isa. Hindi nila nakayanan so the pilots ejected," Cabangbang said in an interview on dzBB radio. Air Force officials requested that the identities of the injured pilots be remain undisclosed. A separate report by dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. quoted Zamboanga City police head Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo as saying the incident occurred about 10 a.m. Cabangbang said the plane was a "total wreck." He said the plane appeared to be on a "maintenance flight" when the incident occurred. The incident is now being investigated, he said. As of posting time, GMA News Online has yet to ascertain how many OV-10s are in the inventory of the Philippine Air Force. — RSJ, GMA News