Jet crash in Bangladesh reignites discussions on urban aviation training
In a tragic turn of events, Bangladesh observed a day of mourning this week following the country's deadliest aviation accident in decades. On Monday, a training aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed at the Milestone School and College in Dhaka, resulting in at least 31 deaths and over 170 injuries.
The aircraft involved in the crash was an FT-7BGI, a two-seat trainer variant of the Chengdu J-7 aircraft. This type of aircraft has been a subject of concern due to its aging technology, history of mechanical failures, and maintenance challenges.
The crash affected a primary school in the Uttara area of Dhaka, where the shared runway's approach path extends over densely populated areas. Local journalist Zyma Islam has questioned the military's claim of mechanical failure as the cause of the crash, suggesting a systemic issue beyond individual malfunctions.
The 2025 Dhaka crash is not an isolated incident. Historically, this is the second crash of an F-7 jet in Bangladesh since a 2008 crash that killed the pilot. Experts have pointed to the F-7BGI's troubling safety record, implying ongoing risks associated with this aircraft type.
The proximity of military airbases like BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker to dense residential areas in Dhaka has been a subject of criticism. This constrains safe maneuverability during critical flight phases such as takeoff and landing, increasing accident risk.
As a result, calls are growing to relocate military bases from Dhaka due to safety concerns. Investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer Khan believes authorities like the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the local government should be held accountable for permitting settlements near the runway's approach path.
Sara Hossain has suggested an administrative order to ban air force training flights over populated areas. Khan also believes that stricter zoning laws and better urban planning are needed to prevent further encroachment.
Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim leader, has pledged an investigation and expressed deep sorrow over the accident. He has emphasised the need for comprehensive investigations into broader systemic problems impacting aircraft safety beyond specific mechanical failures.
This tragic incident has renewed public and official debate on the dangers of military training flights over urban areas and the pressing need for reform in aviation safety practices and base placement policies. The incident has highlighted persistent safety concerns associated with operating aging F-7 jets under challenging maintenance conditions and in highly populated environments.
It has catalysed demands to move military bases from urban zones and implement stricter aviation regulations to prevent future catastrophic accidents. The hope is that this tragedy will serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring the safety of the citizens of Bangladesh in the skies above.
- The government, particularly the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the local government, may face accountability for allowing settlements near the runway's approach path due to safety concerns raised by investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer Khan.
- The government is under pressure to relocate military bases from Dhaka due to the increasing accident risk associated with shared runways extending over densely populated areas.
- Politicians like Sara Hossain have proposed administrative orders banning air force training flights over populated areas to mitigate safety risks.
- The general news and media have been reporting on the ongoing discussions regarding the relocation of military bases, stricter zoning laws, and better urban planning to prevent further encroachment and enhance safety.
- In the wake of the aviation accident, a renewed focus on education-and-self-development and policy-and-legislation is emerging, with advocates such as Zyma Islam questioning the military's claims of mechanical failure and pushing for systemic issue investigations.
- Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim leader, has initiated an investigation into the accident and expressed concern about broader systemic safety issues impacting aircraft technology and maintenance, such as those highlighted by the poor safety record of the FT-7BGI and aging F-7 jets.
