32 accidents have occurred during Bangladesh Air Force training since 1991.
The cyclone of 1991 was the biggest tragedy at that time. Then, 44 aircraft were completely destroyed in one day. The Monday’s accident in Uttara is a rare and terrible addition to this list where fighter jets crashed directly into educational institutions, killing a large number of students. Most of the previous accidents of the Air Force have occurred during training, which have been more common in the case of PT-6, Yak-130, L-39 or F-7 type aircraft. Flight cadets and squadron leaders have lost their lives almost every decade.
Here is a list of all the aircraft accidents of the Bangladesh Air Force from 1991 to 2025:
On May 9, 2024, a Yak-130 training aircraft crashed in the estuary of the Karnaphuli River. Squadron Leader Muhammad Asim Jawad was killed. On November 23, 2018, an F-7BG fighter jet crashed during a rocket firing exercise in Tangail, killing the pilot. On July 1 of the same year, a K-8W training aircraft crashed, killing two pilots, and on January 2, a Mil Mi-17 helicopter crashed in Srimangal of Moulvibazar, killing several people, including a Kuwaiti military officer. On December 26, 2017, two Yak-130s crashed in Cox's Bazar. On July 11 of the same year, a Yak-130 crashed in the hilly areas of Chittagong. On July 21, 2015, a Mi-171SH helicopter was damaged during an emergency landing in Mirsarai. On June 29 of the same year, an F-7MB fighter jet crashed off the coast of Patenga, killing Flight Lieutenant Tahmid, and on May 13, a Mi-171SH helicopter crashed at Shah Amanat Airport and an instructor lost his life.
On April 30, 2014, a PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed. On February 6 of the same year, another PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed. On May 20, 2013, an L-39 trainer aircraft skidded off the runway in Jashore. On July 14 of the same year, a Nanchang A-5 fighter aircraft crashed. On April 8, 2012, an L-39 Albatross jet trainer crashed in Madhupur. Flight Lieutenant Reza Sharif lost his life. On December 20, 2010, a PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed in Barisal, killing two squadron leaders. On September 23 of the same year, a PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed in the Karnaphuli River. On October 22, 2009, a PT-6 trainer aircraft crashed in Bogra Sadar. On June 16 of the same year, an FT-6 fighter aircraft crashed in Karnaphuli of Chittagong.
On April 8, 2008, an F-7MB fighter aircraft crashed in Paharia village in Tangail. Squadron Leader Morshed was killed. On April 9, 2007, a PT-6 training aircraft crashed in Jessore. Flight Cadet Faisal Mahmud was killed. On April 24, 2006, a PT-6 crashed in Kotchandpur, Jhenaidah. Flight Cadet Tanjul Islam was killed. On June 7, 2005, an F-7MB fighter aircraft collided with a multi-storey building in Uttara. On February 7, 2005, a PT-6 training aircraft crashed.
On November 15, 2003, a Piper Cessna S-2 aircraft crashed. On February 25 of the same year, an FT-7B aircraft crashed. On October 19, 2002, a MI-17-200 helicopter crashed in Ukhia of Cox's Bazar. Four people lost their lives. On July 30, 2002, an A-5C fighter aircraft crashed in Chittagong. Flight Lieutenant Adnan lost his life. On January 7, 2001, an FT-7B trainer aircraft crashed. Squadron Leader Mohammad Mohsin was killed. On November 17, 1998, a Nanchang A-5C aircraft crashed. On October 26 of the same year, an F-7MB crashed. On May 8, 1996, a MiG-21 aircraft crashed. In 1994, an F-7 aircraft crashed. In 1993, two PT-6 training aircraft collided. Three pilots lost their lives. In 1993, an FT-5 aircraft crashed, killing Flight Lieutenant Quddus. On April 29, 1991, 40 F-6s and 4 Mil-8 helicopters were completely destroyed in a cyclone and tidal wave.
(Translated by Lutful Hoque)
