Pilot training gaps and lack of supervision caused Milestone crash: investigation report

A military jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara last year was caused by insufficient pilot training and inadequate supervision, according to an investigation commission report. The probe also found that the pilot's ground supervisor, or Officer Commanding (OC), failed to provide proper oversight.

The training aircraft crashed on July 21 last year, killing 28 students at the school. In total, 36 people died, including the pilot, teachers, staff and parents.

The then-interim government formed a nine-member probe body led by former secretary AKM Zafar Ullah Khan. The commission submitted its report after more than three months of investigation. BBC Bangla has obtained the full report.

According to the commission, the FT-7BGI fighter jet—a Chinese-made single-seat aircraft used for air defence—took off for what was pilot Flight Lieutenant Taukir Islam's first solo flight. The report detailed the events before and during the seven-minute flight.

The commission reviewed other inquiry reports, including those from the air force, fire service and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), and incorporated them into its findings.

The aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1:13:11pm on the day of the crash. Despite five attempts to contact the pilot, no response was received. At 1:14:38pm, the Officer Commanding informed that the jet had crashed, which was confirmed six seconds later.

According to the investigation, while turning from base leg to final approach, the aircraft's bank angle increased from 59 degrees to 65.3 degrees in just four seconds. The pilot pulled hard on the control stick, causing the angle of attack to surge from 23.20 to 27.30 degrees within one second—exceeding the aircraft's critical angle of attack of 24 degrees. The jet entered a stall condition, and the pilot was unable to recover control, causing the aircraft to lose altitude and crash.

The report also noted that the aircraft was mechanically sound, with no warning signals from the engine, hydraulic or control systems before the crash. Maintenance and inspections had been carried out as per schedule, and the jet had completed a successful test flight earlier that morning.

The commission found discrepancies in the mission briefing. The first solo flight was expected to follow a 'Low-Go' pattern, but the Officer Commanding instructed the pilot to turn back to the initial approach point, which contradicted the mission profile.

Investigators noted that the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Taukir Islam, lacked consistent training and competency. A lack of adequate supervision meant the pilot failed to maintain proper flight parameters, which prevented him from reacting effectively to the emergency. The report also suggested a possible bird strike or other airborne object hitting the windscreen may have been an indirect factor.

The report highlighted that the building had only one staircase, which was located directly in front of where the jet crashed. According to the fire service report, the building required three staircases based on its occupant load and size. The commission said the lack of emergency exits contributed significantly to the high death toll.

More than half of the buildings on the Milestone campus were unapproved. The school authorities have denied this claim, saying the approval documents were destroyed in the fire.

The report also noted that numerous structures around the airport area violated height restrictions, which were not properly enforced.

The commission recommended a compensation package of Tk 1 crore for deceased children under 18 and Tk 80 lakh for deceased adults. The proposal was developed by the Health Economics Unit using internationally recognised methods, considering the extent of burns, future medical costs and rehabilitation.

However, victims' families have expressed frustration that the package has not been implemented even a year after the crash.

The Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute director, Professor Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin, said 57 patients were admitted to the institute following the crash. Of them, 11 had burns covering 85 percent of their bodies. Many victims suffered inhalation burns, which were a major cause of death.

Eyewitnesses reported that the jet exploded shortly after crashing, with flames rising 15 to 20 metres high. The fire took about an hour to bring under control and one and a half hours to fully extinguish. Firefighters used foam solution due to the jet fuel.

The crash and subsequent fire claimed 36 lives and left many others injured.

Sources: BBC Bangla, investigation commission report