2 BAF training jets crash after collision

Two training aircrafts of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) crashed after a midair collision at Maheshkhali in Cox`s Bazar on Wednesday evening.

Pilots of the planes ejected safely, but five people were injured as they were hit by falling parts of the two aircraft.

Two Russian Yak-130 type BAF training aircraft collided in midair around 6:30 pm, said Rezaul Karim, Assistant Director of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR).

He said, the two aircraft slammed on the ground following the collision. They were disconnected from the radar around 6:15pm, the army personnel added.

Rezaul also told Daily Bangladesh two pilots and as many copilots of the two aircraft were rescued although they suffered injuries. Two of them are BAF wing commanders while one is group captain and the rest is squadron leader. They were admitted to BNS Patenga Hospital. All of them were out of danger.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) M Afruzul Haque Tutul said the two aircraft crashed at the same time at a distance of four kilometers. One aircraft crashed at Putibila Yar Mohammad village in Maheshkhali municipality while another at Comboniapara under Chhoto Maheshkhali union in the upazila.

A Source said, an aircraft slammed on a paddy field partially damaging the kichen of Abdus Sattar at Putibila Yar Mohammad village, injuring three people. The plane also caught fire after the crash. On the other hand, three-fourths of another aircraft entered beneath the ground after the crash, leaving two people injured.

Manager of Cox’s Bazar Airport Sadhan Kumar Mohanta said the two training aircraft took off from Chittagong Airport. They were flying in Cox’s Bazar sky frequently in the afternoon. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

DailyBangladesh/Nishi