CAAP inspector suspended for certifying crashed Robredo plane

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday suspended airworthiness inspector Fernando Abalos for 90 days pending an investigation into his culpability in the plane crash that killed former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Abalos allegedly falsified documents and cleared the test flight results of the Piper Seneca plane that Robredo took form Cebu. According to a CAAP news release, the suspension came after the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) released its findings Tuesday. The results detailed the nature of the crash that killed Robredo and two others, including the owner of the air taxi service – Aviatour Air. CAAP deputy director general John Andrews said that while Abalos’ suspension is not in itself a penalty, his previous actions of falsifying documents “could constitute gross dishonesty and grave misconduct that may warrant removal from government service.” He added that the suspension will prevent Abalos from interacting with potential witnesses. However, Andrews insisted that Abalos will be accorded due process, and will be allowed to defend himself. “He may participate in the investigation,” Andrews said. The AAIIB’s report alleged that Abalos approved a test flight permit for the renewal of the crashed plane’s airworthiness certificate. However, no such record of the test flight exists in the aircraft logbook. Neither did the Cebu-Mactan airport show any flight plan for the plane supposedly filed on that day. Capt. Amado Soliman, head of the AAIIB also said that they have the testimony of an Aviatour pilot who confessed to falsifying a document that led to the approval of the company’s Airworthiness Certificate.   “Captain Federico A. Omolon III, Aviatour Flight Instructor and supposed pilot of the test flight testified that Captain Jessup Bahinting, Owner of Aviatour and pilot of the fatal Seneca flight asked him to sign the Flight Test Report even though he did not fly the plane,” Soliman said. Meanwhile, in a briefing at the palace, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said CAAP will also be focused on double checking all inspections Abalos signed off on. Lacierda also confirmed that the administration is looking further into the causes of the crash, particularly at other individuals who may have had a hand in it. “We intend to pursue those people who caused this accident—the CAAP personnel who were involved. Various crimes can be leveled against them: falsification, reckless imprudence. Remember po may fraud po doon sa pag-fill up po ng mga forms,” Lacierda said. — DVM, GMA News