CHATTOGRAM, May 9: One training aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed in Chattogram just after take-off from Chattogram Air base on Thursday.
In the incident two pilots of the plane were injured and parachuted down and they have been admitted for treatment at Issa Khan Naval Base Hospital where Squadron Leader Muhammad Asim Jawad pilot of the plane succumbed to his injuries Thursday noon.
He died at the Patenga Hospital on the Isa Khan Naval Base around noon on Thursday, said Kabirul Islam, chief of Patenga Police Station.
Wing Commander Suhan, the other victim of the crash, is being treated at the Air Force Zahurul Haque Base Medical Squadron for his injuries, the OC said.
The training aircraft crashed soon after it took off from the Zahurul Haque Air Base at 10:28am on Thursday, said Group Captain Taslim Ahmad, Manager of Shah Amanat International Airport.
It then broke into pieces and scattered as it crashed into the Karnaphuli River behind the Boat Club.
The pilot and the co-pilot parachuted down. They were rescued and taken to a hospital. One of them died while receiving treatment.
"A YAK 130 training fighter plane of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed in Chattograms Patenga due to mechanical failure," the Inter-Services Public Relations said. "The two pilots on board have been rescued."
The Russian-made YAK 130 is said to be an advanced jet training aircraft and can be used for training on fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets. The aircraft can also be used as light combat aircraft and as reconnaissance plane. The Bangladesh Air Force has dozens of YAK 130s in its fleet.
Following the accident, river transport on an estuary of the Karnaphuli River was paused for some time before port authorities lifted the restriction.
Squadron Leader Asim completed his HSC examinations from Savar Cantonment School and College in 2010 before joining the Bangladesh Air Force Academy. In December 2011, he was commissioned as a pilot officer. He became a staff instructor at the Flying Instructors School of BAF.
Asim received the Sword of Honour for his professional achievements. He served a tour of duty on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A high-level probe committee has been formed over the crash. The probe body was formed as per the order of the Air Force chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR).
A rescue operation is on to retrieve the aircraft, ISPR said.
Assistant Chief of Air Force (Planning) Air Vice Marshal Mu Kamrul Islam reached the spot from Dhaka and gave necessary directions to all those involved in the rescue operation.
Air Commander Air Vice Marshal AKM Shafiul Azam of Air Force Base Zahurul Haque is supervising the post-accident operations.
Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of pilot Asim Jawad.
