CLARK FREEPORT – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has grounded all five of its remaining operational S-211 training jets as it confirmed the death of its two officers in a crash of such aircraft in Bagac, Bataan last Thursday.
The ill-fated aircraft was one of the only six operational S-211 trainer jets of the PAF which has purchased a total of 25 such aircraft since the 1990’s records showed. Of the total number, 15 were locally assembled by the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp.
(Aerospace) based here.
PAF records showed that other accidents involving S-211 jets have occurred in the recent years. In July last year, another such aircraft belonging to the Air Defense Wing’s 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron based here also crashed in Concepion, Tarlac, but its pilot and co-pilot were able to eject themselves to safety.
In 2002, another S-211 jet of the PAF also crashed due to mechanical failure, killing five, including the pilot and his co-pilot, in Barangay Garcia in Cabanatuan City where 15 houses were destroyed. The aircraft was also reported to be on proficiency flight.
Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said the PAF has already extended condolences to the families of Capt. Raymond de Leon and Maj. Ephraim Suyom who died in the crash of their trainer jet off the shores of Stella Maris resort in Barangay Banawang in Bagac.
The body of Suyom was fished out by the local police and local folk soon after the crash, while the remains of De Leon was found underwater by divers from the Philippine Coast Guard at about 7 p.m. on the same day.
Okol described De Leon as “a combat ready pilot”, adding that Suyom was an instructor pilot for AS-211 aircraft.
“PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena has ensured that a thorough investigation of the crash will take place,” Okol said in a text message.
He also said Rabena has vowed “to look after the families left behind by the fighter pilots.”
The victims had taken off from this Freeport at about 2:15 p.m. and later lost contact with the air traffic controllers. They were based at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
“The S211 trainer jet with tail number 020 was on a routine proficiency flight when the accident happened,” he added.
Okol said the remaining five other still functioning S-211 trainer jets of the air force would remain grounded until the cause of last Thursday’s accident is known. He said such aircraft has been with the PAF since 1991.
The ill-fated aircraft was one of the only six operational S-211 trainer jets of the PAF which has purchased a total of 25 such aircraft since the 1990’s records showed. Of the total number, 15 were locally assembled by the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp.
(Aerospace) based here.
PAF records showed that other accidents involving S-211 jets have occurred in the recent years. In July last year, another such aircraft belonging to the Air Defense Wing’s 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron based here also crashed in Concepion, Tarlac, but its pilot and co-pilot were able to eject themselves to safety.
In 2002, another S-211 jet of the PAF also crashed due to mechanical failure, killing five, including the pilot and his co-pilot, in Barangay Garcia in Cabanatuan City where 15 houses were destroyed. The aircraft was also reported to be on proficiency flight.
Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said the PAF has already extended condolences to the families of Capt. Raymond de Leon and Maj. Ephraim Suyom who died in the crash of their trainer jet off the shores of Stella Maris resort in Barangay Banawang in Bagac.
The body of Suyom was fished out by the local police and local folk soon after the crash, while the remains of De Leon was found underwater by divers from the Philippine Coast Guard at about 7 p.m. on the same day.
Okol described De Leon as “a combat ready pilot”, adding that Suyom was an instructor pilot for AS-211 aircraft.
“PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena has ensured that a thorough investigation of the crash will take place,” Okol said in a text message.
He also said Rabena has vowed “to look after the families left behind by the fighter pilots.”
The victims had taken off from this Freeport at about 2:15 p.m. and later lost contact with the air traffic controllers. They were based at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
“The S211 trainer jet with tail number 020 was on a routine proficiency flight when the accident happened,” he added.
Okol said the remaining five other still functioning S-211 trainer jets of the air force would remain grounded until the cause of last Thursday’s accident is known. He said such aircraft has been with the PAF since 1991.
