Sunday, April 08, 2012

Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros: Bangladesh Air Force officer killed, pilot critical in trainer jet

 
The wreckage of the training aircraft that crashed in Madhupur upazila of Tangail yesterday.


A pilot officer died and a squadron leader received injuries when a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) training aircraft crashed in Madhupur upazila of Tangail during a training session yesterday.

Pilot Officer Shariful Haque succumbed to his injuries at Combined Military Hospital in Ghatail, reports our correspondent in Tangail.

Injured Squadron Leader Muhammad Mamunur Rashid is recovering at the same hospital, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.

"Mamun sustained only some cuts and bruises," MA Masud, additional police super of Tangail, told The Daily Star yesterday.

The ISPR statement said a committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the accident.

Sharif's death brings the number of BAF pilots killed in air crashes over the last three years to three. Four others were injured in the four separate air crashes.

Mohammad Ali, an eyewitness, said the aircraft circled twice over a paddy field before crashing. He said Mamun jumped from the plane with a parachute before the crash. 

On reaching the ground Mamun raised a hue and cry prompting local people to rescue Sharif from the crashed aircraft, he said. Troops from the Ghatail Cantonment later took the injured men to the hospital.

The ISPR release however said both pilots managed to eject from the aircraft before the crash. It also said both injured pilots were taken to Ghatail CMH where doctors declared pilot officer Sharif dead. 

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operation and Training) Air Vice Marshal Abu Esrar visited the scene of accident with other BAF high officials, the ISPR press release added. 

The L-39ZA aircraft went down into the marsh in Mohishmara Ghonapara area of the upazila around 12:30pm.

OTHER INCIDENTS
On October 22 of 2009 a BAF training aircraft crashed while trying to land at a local airport at Arulia in Bogra sadar upazila. Two pilots - squadron leaders Jamal Uddin Ahmed and AAMM Shamsujjahan -were injured.

On September 23 of 2010 a BAF fighter jet crashed into the river Karnaphuli near Patenga Boat Club. The pilot Flight Lieutenant Ahmed Sanjid was alone on board the routine training flight at the time. He escaped unhurt after ejecting from the jet with a parachute. 

On December 20 of 2010 two BAF pilots - Squadron leaders Ashraf Ibne Ahmed and Mohammad Mahmudul Haque - were killed when their aircraft crashed near the main entrance of Barisal Airport.

On October 10 of 2011 a fighter aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force crashed at Shah Amanat International Airport in the port city. Flight Lt Muntasin, the lone pilot of the aircraft A-5, managed to eject by parachute.
In addition on March 9 of 2009, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 55 Infantry Division and Jessore Area Commander Maj Gen Rafiqul Islam and pilot Lt Col Md Shahidul Islam lost their lives when an army helicopter crashed at Rouha under Kalihati upazila in Tangail.

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