One of the two pilots injured in the crash of an Air Force training aircraft in Chattogram’sPatenga has died from his wounds.
The deceased was identified as Squadron Leader Muhammad AsimJawwad.
He died at the Patenga Hospital on the Isa Khan Naval Base around noon on Thursday, said Kabirul Islam, chief of Patenga Police Station.
Wing Commander Suhan, the other victim of the crash, is being treated by the Air Force’s ZahurulHaque Base’s medical squadron for his injuries, the OC sad.
The plane crashed soon after it took off from the Chittagong Air Base at 10:28am on Thursday, said Group Captain Taslim Ahmad, manager of Shah Amanat International Airport.
The plane caught on fire immediately after takeoff. It then broke into pieces and scattered as it crashed into the Karnaphuli River behind the boat club, said Shakila Sultana, deputy commissioner (port) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
“The pilot and the co-pilot parachuted down. They were rescued and taken to a hospital. One of them died while receiving treatment.”
“A YAK 130 training fighter plane of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed in Chattogram’sPatenga due to mechanical failure,” the Inter-Services Public Relations said. “The two pilots on board have been rescued.”
The Russian-made YAK 130 is said to be an advanced jet training aircraft and can be used for training on fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets. The craft can also be used as light combat aircraft and as reconnaissance aircraft. The Bangladesh Air Force has dozens of YAK 130s in its fleet.
Following the accident, river transport on an estuary of the Karnaphuli River was paused for some time before port authorities lifted the alert.
Squadron leader Asim completed his HSC examinations from Savar Cantonment School and College in 2010 before joining the Bangladesh Air Force Academy. In December 2011, he was commissioned as a pilot officer. He became a staff instructor at the Flying Instructor’s School of BAF.
Asim received the ‘Sword of Honour’ for his professional achievements. He served a tour of duty on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
