Danger looms over Bogura’s training flight operations

The skies above Bogura, once a symbol of serene training flights and aviation discipline, are now under scrutiny. Two crashes of Air Force training aircraft within the span of a year have triggered public concern and shaken the confidence of local residents in flight safety procedures.

While no fatalities occurred in either incident, the repeated nature of the crashes has raised serious questions about maintenance, mechanical reliability, and training safety protocols in one of the country's key aviation hubs.

First Emergency Landing in Potato Field

The first incident took place on November 29, 2022, at approximately 10:30am, when a PT-6 training aircraft made an emergency landing in a potato field, just outside Erulia Airport in Bogura.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the emergency was caused by a mechanical fault. Despite the damage, the aircraft was deemed repairable. Thanks to the skillful actions of Captain Mahbub and Squadron Leader Halimur, a disaster was averted.

Second Crash in Shimulia

Less than a year later, on October 15, 2023, another PT-6 aircraft crashed, this time in Shimulia village, under Kahalu upazila of Bogura.

The aircraft had just taken off from the Air Force’s Flying Instructor School (Erulia Airport) and was beginning its training routine. But within minutes, the plane lost control and crashed into a bamboo grove. The nose of the plane crumpled, and the tail dangled precariously in the bamboo canopy. Yet again, quick thinking and training saved lives, and both pilots were rescued safely with the help of local residents.

Public Outcry: “This Is a Sign of Greater Danger”

The consecutive incidents have caused a stir in the local community. Sagar Hossain, Tarek Khandaker, and Abdul Malek—along with nearly 20 residents living near Erulia Airport—shared their concerns in interviews.

“The fact that both planes crashed shortly after takeoff, despite being under military maintenance, shows there’s a deeper problem,” said one resident. Others questioned how such frequent mechanical failures could occur under the strict safety protocols of the Air Force.

National Fear Fueled by Milestone Tragedy

Though Bogura has yet to witness fatalities from these incidents, national anxiety was amplified after the training aircraft crash at Dhaka’s Milestone School and College, which deeply disturbed the public. The specter of such a disaster now looms larger in places like Bogura, where training flights are a routine sight.

Call for Transparency and Stronger Safety Measures

The people of Bogura are demanding more than just technical repairs or internal inquiries. They are calling for comprehensive safety audits, transparent investigations, and visible improvements in training aircraft maintenance.

“Training flights are supposed to build the future of our air force,” said a local resident. “But if they become life-and-death situations, the entire system needs to be re-evaluated.”

The repeated incidents have highlighted a fragile reality: the trust in the safety of training aircraft, especially in densely populated areas, is hanging in the balance.

As authorities continue to investigate, the skies over Bogura carry more than aircraft—they carry the hopes and fears of a community watching closely. The nation now waits for answers and, more importantly, actions that will ensure safety, restore public confidence, and prevent further near-tragedies in the name of training. * *