Bangladesh Air Force training plane crashes in Jashore, kills both pilots

A training aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force has crashed in Jashore, killing its two pilots.

The pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Md Serajul Islam and Squadron Leader Enayet Kabir Polash.

The plane crashed at Bukbhora Baor of Chandutia village of the district around 9pm on Sunday, but the local administration did not issue a statement regarding the pilots at the time.

The deaths were later confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate or ISPR around midnight.

Local Union Council member Golam Mustafa said locals had heard two loud bangs and saw a plane plunging into the water and oil floating up.

The policemen and air force members had begun a rescue operation as soon as the incident took place, according to the union council member.

“The rescue work was delayed by rains,” said Abul Bashar Miah, inspector (investigation) of Jashore Kotwali Police Station.

Serajul and Enayet took off on a K-8W aircraft from the BAF Base Matiur Rahman as a part of their night training.

Bad weather is cited as the main factor of plane crash, according to the ISPR statement.

Air Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat has visited the scene the incident, reported ISPR.

Alamgir Pathan, manager of the Jashore Airport, told bdnews24.com that, contact with the aircraft after it was in the air for a few minutes. The incident was reported immediately.

“The bodies and the parts of the aircraft were recovered at night. But the exact position of the aircraft could not be ascertained due to the bad weather. The rescue operation was suspended around 4am due to the adverse weather conditions. Naval forces and the fire service diving squad restarted the operation again in the early hours of morning,” said Jashore Kotwali Police Station Inspector Abul Bashar Miah, .

A high-rank probe committee has been formed over the incident, according to the ISPR.