16 Air force planes crash in last 12 years: 14 pilots meet tragic deaths, (With minor correction)

Biplob Rahman

BDNEWS Writer

Dhaka, April 24 (BDNEWS) – Some 14 pilots of Bangladesh Air Force met tragic ends of their lives as 16 planes and helicopters crashed in last 13 years.

Squadron leader, flight lieutenant, wing commander, flying officer, warrant officer and cadet pilots were among the 'deceased list'.

And in most cases the affected planes were FT-7, PT-6, and F-7 of MB model and were manufactured in China.

Each of the planes cost Tk 50 to 70 crore.

It has been learnt that the most dreadful among all mishaps occurred in 2003 and 2004.

On October 19, 2002 a training helicopter (MI-17-200) crashed after it had pressed against Ukhia TV station. Wing commander Newaj, flying officer Sabir, warrant officer Jahir and sergeant Samad were killed on the spot.

In the same year a fighter plane A-5 crashed at Banshkhali, Chittagong on July 30 leaving Lt. Mukit dead on the spot.

Squadron leader Mohammad Mohsin was killed on January 7, 2001 while his fighter jet FT-7 crashed at Zia International Airport (ZIA). His co-pilot Reza Amdad Khan escaped death narrowly.

Due to technical faults a training plane FT-7 caught fire just after it had taken off. Squadron leader Ahsanul Kabir and flight Lt. Shamsuzzam miraculously evaded death by ejecting using parachute.

On November 15, 2003 Piper Cessna S-2 took an urgent belly landing. Thus pilot Tapash, captain Ahsan and co-pilot Anwar was able to survive.

Another training plane narrowly escaped accident through urgent landing at Abahani ground of Dhanmondi.

On October 26, 1998 one FT-7 crashed at Modhupur of Tangail district leaving its pilot dead.

Two PT-6 planes met accidents simultaneously and wing commander Haque, squadron leader Islam and flying officer Masud were killed in 1996.

Flight Lt Quddus died in FT –5 training plane crash in 1993.

Last year on June 7, one F-7 training plane crashed at a residential area. Flight Lt Ahsan was able to eject right at the moment and evaded death.

But a number of dwellers of a tin roofed house received serious wounds following the accident. One homemaker succumbed to the injuries at hospital later.

The latest of this pathetic chronicle occurred Monday at Kotchandpur of Jhenaidah district. Cadet Taniul awaiting commission was killed on the spot in the PT-6 plane crash.

BDNEWS/1942 hrs