• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Bangladesh Air Force Plane crash: A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft, identified as an F-7 BGI jet, crashed in Dhaka’s Uttara area on Monday afternoon, killing one person and injuring 26 others. The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 PM near Milestone College in Diabari, triggering panic among students and local residents.

As per the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), the plane had taken off at 1:06 PM after losing control and crashing into the rooftop of the college canteen. At least 26 people, including women and children, most of them students, have sustained burn injuries. The victims were brought to the emergency department of the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 2:30 pm on Monday, as reported by the Daily Sun. Three units of the Fire Service responded quickly, and two Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons were deployed to help with rescue efforts and ensure law and order. Deputy Commissioner Mohidul Islam of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Uttara Division confirmed that top officials came rushing to the scene the moment the accident occurred.

In the meantime, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman instructed allied wings such as Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal to assist the rescue operation and give relief to the wounded. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities have confirmed the crash but refused to reveal the cause or the condition of the pilot. Facebook and YouTube were flooded with sensational footage of burning wreckage, but the authenticity of these videos has not been confirmed by the authorities. The Bangladesh Air Force has initiated an inquiry to find out what caused the deadly accident in the busy Uttara area. Following the incident, Interim Government Chief Muhammad Yunus posted on X ( formerly Twitter), "I express my deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident of casualties caused by the crash of a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BJI training aircraft at the Milestone School and College campus in the Diabari area of the capital today. The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable. This is a moment of profound pain for the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and direct all concerned authorities, including hospitals, to address the situation with the utmost priority. The government will take necessary measures to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure all forms of assistance."

F-7 BGI Jet: Inside Bangladesh's Advanced Fighter

The F-7 BGI is the most technologically advanced model in the Chengdu F-7 family, designed by China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation in response to the needs of the Bangladesh Air Force for a budget-friendly, multi-role fighter aircraft. It has been developed as a better variant of the J-7G, and F-7 BGI brings dramatic improvements in avionics, agility, and combat performance. Bangladesh imported 16 of these jets between 2011 and 2013 in a bid to modernize its fighter fleet.

Key Features Of The F-7 BGI Fighter Jet

• Speed and Power:  The F-7 BGI has a speed of Mach 2.2 and is equipped with an afterburning engine generating 82 kN of power.
• Advanced Cockpit:  The aircraft is controlled by pilots via a full glass cockpit containing three multi-functional HUD displays and HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle-And-Stick) controls, which improve situational awareness.
• New Radar:  The F-7 BGI is also provided with the KLJ-6F fire control radar, which can detect targets at distances over 86 km, track six targets, and engage two simultaneously.
• Maneuverability:  The F-7 BGI sports the J-7G2 airframe with a double-delta wing design, which provides excellent lift at high angles of attack, minimizing stalling risk and allowing agility that rivals many contemporary fighter jets.
• Payload and Weapons:  Having up to seven hard-points, the F-7 BGI can have onboard various short-range air-to-air missiles like the PL-5, PL-7, PL-9, and perhaps the PL-12 for close-BVR shooting. It is also capable of dropping bombs, unguided rocket pods, as well as Chinese laser-guided bombs up to 3,000 pounds.
• Enhanced Capabilities:  The aircraft can be equipped with C-704 anti-ship missiles to carry out maritime strike missions. It can also operate Chinese helmet-mounted sights for better target acquisition.

Despite its upgrades, the F-7 BGI remains primarily suited for short-range aerial combat and training. Unlike modern multi-role fighters, it lacks true beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile capability. However, its advanced avionics, radar, and improved maneuverability make it more capable than earlier F-7 variants and even some older MiG-21 fighters. While Bangladesh grieves the tragic crash in Uttara, aviation and Air Force officials have assured a thorough investigation to ascertain if a technical failure, pilot negligence, or some other reason resulted in the accident.