Helmet of missing OV-10 Air Force pilot found off Palawan

A fisherman has found the helmet of one of the two missing Air Force pilots who were aboard an OV-10 plane that crashed off Palawan last June.

The Philippine Air Force said it is now determining if the helmet was that of the pilot or co-pilot, radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate James Viernes reported Saturday.

Still missing are pilots Maj. Jonathan Ybanez and 1Lt. Abner Nacion.

Citing initial information, the Air Force said the fisherman, identified only as "Nuñez," found the helmet near Sombrero Island in Palawan.

With the development, search-and-rescue efforts shifted to a nearby area, the report said.

Air Force officials said they hope to find more leads within this weekend as authorities remain hopeful Ybanez and Nacion may have survived the crash.

Meanwhile, a remotely operated vehicle tapped to help search for the OV-10's main frame and its pilots was briefly recalled but may be back next week.

The ROV's first 12 hours of operation failed to find the OV-10 or its pilots.

The OV-10 crashed off Palawan June 23 during a night proficiency flight. This prompted the Air Force to ground its OV-10 fleet while an investigation is being conducted. - VVP, GMA News