Training flights are normally conducted by a licensed flying school. After a student passes a medical test, as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and vetted by the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB), he/she goes through ground subjects to acquire knowledge in aviation. The schools maintain their equipment in impeccable condition for ensuring flight safety and have instructors with good experience and knowledge. Nobody can guarantee against human failures as the German pilot of the recent crash in the Alps is a burning example.
Lot of speculations by non-pilots are going around regarding the training flight that crashed leading to the tragic death of trainee pilot Tamanna Rahman. We need to find out the real reason behind the crash in order to stop recurrence of the same. There were reports in the media on wrong and incomplete knowledge.
The aircraft was subjected to routine check of 50/100 hours by the CAAB a week before the mishap and was declared fit to fly. Otherwise the aircraft is invariably checked before every flight for fitness.
Three students of the flying academy did their first solo flight the day before with the same aircraft. So the aircraft must have been in spick and span condition and fit to fly.
Just prior to initiating the reversal, the instructor had sought permission from tower for this action. After takeoff and at very low altitude they tried to simulate engine failure landing. This means the aircraft had its power available but reduced. Normally at such low altitude 180-degree reversal is not only barred but also impossible without the help of power. They did not open power. In such a situation at low altitude, it is highly recommended to land straight ahead and be safe.
At that height and distance one would have to keep a look out for the field (R/W). While doing that, there is a good possibility that the aircraft over banked and the stalling speed increased making the flight very unsafe because of the height and distance from the runway and was hence unrecoverable from a fall.
There are also remote chances that they might have fought with the controls out of panic.
The weather was congenial for flying.
Whenever an airport becomes active, fire-service goes into standby mode, ready for immediate action, should the need arise.
Things cannot be reversed now but there is a lot to learn from the incident. It is imperative that the reasons behind the failure were pinpointed and appropriate steps taken accordingly to prevent repetition of such incidents in the future.
Aviation is a totally different ball game. Variables are many like equipment, speed, weather, day or night, height etc. Conditions are different from those on the ground and are somewhat similar to underwater activities with unique features.
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