PAF identifies missing OV-10 pilots by Priam Nepomuceno MANILA — Philippine Air Force spokesperson Miguel Ernesto Okol Tuesday formally identified the two missing pilots of the OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft that went down after a night proficiency flight off Puerto Princesa, Palawan Sunday night. These pilots are Maj. Jonathan A. Ybanez and 1st Lt Abner Trust Nacion, according to Okol. "The fate of the two pilots, Major Jonathan A. Ybanez and 1st Lt. Abner Trust Nacion still remain unknown as of the moment and are listed as missing. The search will continue until the wreckage are found and the fate of the two officers known," he added. Okol also said the PAF has contracted the use of sonar equipment from a Cebu-based firm to aid and complement other equipment used in the search. "The efforts (to locate the two pilots and OV-10 airframe) have been supported by the Western Command based in Palawan with Philippine Navy and Coast Guard elements conducting the search even at night," the PAF spokesperson stressed. The downed plane, with tail number 630, belongs to the 570th Composite Tactical Wing which is based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The aircraft and another one with tail number 139 took off around 6:37 p.m. Sunday for a night flying proficiency However, only the aircraft with tail number 139 safely landed back after 53 minutes. The missing OV-10 "Bronco" ( tail number 630) lost contact with the Palawan tower around 7:30 p.m. and failed to return. (PNA)
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:43:16 +0000
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