Bangladesh L-39ZA light attack training jet Aircraft crash kills pilot

An aircraft used for training by the Bangladesh Air Force crashed in a marshland of central Tangail district yesterday leaving its pilot dead, officials said.

The Aero L-39ZA light attack training craft crashed near Madhupur sub-district, some 80km north-west of the capital Dhaka a few minutes after it took off from Kurmitola airbase at 12.20pm (0620 GMT), said Noor Islam, assistant director of the Inter Service Public Relations Department.

Reza Sharif, the pilot of the aircraft, succumbed to his injured after he was rushed to the Combined Military Hospital, said Lieutenant Colonel Ziaul Hasan.

Co-pilot Squadron Leader Mamun, who managed to eject from the craft before it smashed into the paddy field, was also admitted to hospital, he added.

A large number of local people crowded the scene where the training aircraft crashed as members of the army, air force and fire service and civil defence began a rescue operation, said district police officer M A Masud.
The authorities have launched an investigation into the mishap.


Source: Bangladesh - 09 April 2012 (gulf-times.com)

Photo: Bangladesh Air Force Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros (© Fulcum - Romanian Spotters)

Photo Story: A Bangladesh air force Aero Vodochody L-39ZA jet trainer crashed on 8 April, with one of its two pilots having died in the incident. (© Rex Features)

Both crew members ejected from the Czech-built aircraft shortly before it crashed near Tengail, around 90km (48nm) north of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh had an active duty inventory of eight AI-25TL-engined L-39ZAs prior to the crash, which destroyed aircraft A365313. All of the air force’s remaining examples were delivered in 1995, as recorded by Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database.

(9.04.2012)