Leader Asim Jawad CHATTOGRAM, May 09: A training fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed and fell into the Karnaphuli river, killing one of its two pilots on Thursday.
A YAK130 training fighter suddenly caught fire at the rear and disintegrated as it was flying over the Boat Club at Patenga from Zahurul Haq base.
Sources said both pilots on board the plane sustained severe injuries. They were identified as Squadron Leader Asim Jawad and Wing Commander Sohan. Mr Jawad succumbed to his injuries at BNS Issa Khan Hospital in Patenga at noon, while Mr Sohan was undergoing treatment there.
Shakila Sultana, deputy commissioner (port division) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said, "The aircraft, YAK130, of Russian origin was conducting routine training when it encountered mechanical failure, leading to a fatal crash."
An investigation is underway to know the circumstances surrounding the crash and the unfortunate demise of a co-pilot. Shah Amanat International Airport director Group Capt Taslim Ahmed said the aircraft caught fire at 10:28 pm while it was landing.
The pilots managed to parachute down but they received severe wounds. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release, "A YAK130 training aircraft of the air force crashed in Patenga area around 11:00 am due to mechanical glitch."
"Two pilots on board managed to eject from the aircraft through parachutes. They were rescued and taken to hospital," reads the statement. Naval tugboats, divers, firefighters, police, sailors of ships stationed at the port were working to find it.
Sub-inspector Nurul Islam, duty officer of Patenga police station, also confirmed the plane crash.
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