Flying training aircraft over densely populated areas questioned

The incident of Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash into a school building in Dhaka's Uttara on Monday has triggered a massive emergency response and widespread national mourning.

Civil Aviation experts have raised questions about flying the training aircraft over densely populated areas. 
They opined that there should be a plan for what kind of localities will be developed next to the airport.
Politicians and mass people have also expressed similar opinion on the matter.

Kazi Wahidul Alam, founding editor of the country's premier aviation and tourism publication The Bangladesh Monitor and a noted civil aviation expert, told The Daily Observer that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is situated in one of the most densely populated areas in the country.

"Thousands of people live in Uttara and Tongi. Hundreds of aircraft fly over this zone every day. Given the heavy air traffic and dense population, there is a high risk of accidents. A crash could occur at any time," he warned.

He emphasized the urgent need to relocate the airport, saying, "Shahjalal International Airport must be moved outside the city. Its current location poses constant risks, and emergency response capabilities need to be re-evaluated."

Highlighting the challenges of training flights in such a setting, Alam added, "We must rethink our aviation infrastructure. Training aircraft must follow designated routes. But in this area, that poses significant danger."

Air Commodore (Retd) Mahmud Hossain, former Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), echoed similar concerns. "Construction guidelines have not been followed when building high-rises around the airport. During my tenure at CAAB, we had to issue several warnings. But unlike in other countries, building regulations are often ignored here," he said.

Commenting on the cause of the crash, Hossain said, "It was a training aircraft flying at a slow speed. The cause could range from a mechanical failure to financial constraints affecting aircraft maintenance. If buildings in the vicinity are not properly maintained, they also pose additional risks."

He added, "This area is within the airport's flight path. Whether it's a training plane or a commercial aircraft, it must land or take off here. In this case, had it been a larger aircraft, the consequences could have been worse."

When asked whether the risk at Shahjalal International Airport has increased, he said, "I wouldn't say that directly. But we must be vigilant. While the left side has relatively few tall buildings, the right side is filled with high-rises. Unfortunately, those responsible for state oversight often ignore these warnings."

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who visited the crash site at Diabari in Uttara, said, "There should have been a well-thought-out plan regarding what kind of locality would be developed next to the airport."

Speaking to reporters, Rizvi expressed disbelief that pilot training is being conducted in such a congested area. "This area is densely populated. It's beyond comprehension that training aircraft are flying here. Such training should be held in open areas-places like Jashore or Cox's Bazar where there's open space and fewer risks."

Admitting his lack of technical expertise, Rizvi said, "I may not understand the technical aspects of navigation, but with so many people and homes packed in this area, it's obvious that conducting pilot training here is risky. The administration and government must take responsibility. Neglecting it puts lives at stake."

He stressed the need for strategic urban planning, saying, "The way this area has been developed suggests there was no proper planning. Densely populated neighborhoods should not exist this close to an international airport."

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also expressed similar opinion.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the F-7 BGI fighter jet, a Chinese-made training aircraft used by the Bangladesh Air Force, took off at 1:06pm. Just 12 minutes later, at 1:18pm, it crashed into a two-storey building on the campus of Milestone School and College in the Diabari area of the capital.

The building, known as "Project-2," housed primary-level classrooms. Witnesses said the jet crashed into the front portion of the building near the classrooms for grades 3 and 4. In the afternoons, the same building also hosted coaching classes for students from grades 6 to 8.