Following the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F-7BGI fighter jet onto Milestone School and College in Dhaka, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan has urged the public not to believe in rumors circulating on social media.
Addressing concerns over aircraft safety and transparency, he said there is nothing to hide regarding the accident that claimed the lives of at least 28 people, mostly children.
The crash occurred on Monday when a Chinese-made F-7BGI jet plunged into the school, causing an explosion and fire that engulfed a two-story academic building. Sixty-eight people remain hospitalized, many in critical condition with severe burns.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after the funeral parade of pilot Flight Lieutenant Tawkir Islam at the Kurmitola Air Base, the Air Chief stressed that although the jets in BAF’s fleet are aging, they have not surpassed their designated service life.
“Every aircraft has a defined lifetime. These jets typically have a lifespan of up to 30 years. Age alone doesn’t matter — what matters is how well we maintain them,” he said. “We never compromise on maintenance. We procure all necessary support and technologies from the countries we purchase the aircraft from.”
He acknowledged that the F-7BGI is based on older technology, but emphasized that steps are being taken to upgrade the fleet. “Technologically, these aircraft are outdated. But the aircraft themselves are not necessarily unsafe. We’re working to bring in modern, next-generation jets,” he added.
The F-7BGI, considered the most advanced version of China’s Chengdu J-7 (a derivative of the Soviet-era MiG-21), was part of a fleet of 16 jets Bangladesh acquired from China in 2013. The model ceased production the same year. Bangladesh currently operates 36 F-7 variants, including F-7BGI, FT-7MB, and F-7BG.
Previous crashes involving F-7s in Bangladesh include incidents in Tangail in 2018 and over the Bay of Bengal in 2021.
Air Chief Marshal Khan said a high-level investigation team has already been formed and requested the public to be patient as the cause of the crash is determined. “I cannot speculate without concrete evidence. It was a single-engine aircraft. Possible causes could include technical failure or bird strike,” he noted. “We lost both the pilot and the aircraft. That limits our ability to immediately identify the cause.”
He commended the pilot for attempting to land the jet in an open field, which he said may have cost him the chance to eject in time. “He tried to steer the aircraft away from densely populated areas. That decision delayed his ejection and ultimately cost him his life.”
Addressing social media claims about attempts to hide casualties, the Air Chief categorically denied any cover-up. “There’s no reason to hide anything. We are providing updates through the ISPR. The chaos at the crash site is unfortunate, but we must not fuel it with misinformation.”
He urged the public to avoid rumors, especially those questioning engine reliability. “We are extremely cautious with engines. A pilot flies with one engine — there’s no room for error. We never overuse engines beyond their certified hours, and we rigorously perform all required maintenance.”
Khan, who was en route to Turkey when the incident occurred, returned immediately upon receiving the news. “Like everyone else, my heart broke when I heard about it. This is an irreparable loss, but we will stand by the victims' families.”
He pledged continued support for the injured, saying their treatment is now the Air Force’s top priority. “We will ensure the best possible care for the survivors. Recovery may not restore what we’ve lost, but we must do everything we can to help ease their suffering.”
In closing, the Air Chief urged the nation to support the armed forces and not undermine the strength of the Air Force with baseless speculation. “A strong Air Force is vital to our sovereignty. Please do not weaken this pillar of national security with misinformation.”
