Chronological Timeline of Major Aviation Incidents in Bangladesh
A chronological overview of Bangladesh’s most significant aviation disasters — from early airline crashes to recent military tragedies — that shaped the nation’s aviation safety and history.
Pakistan International Airlines Flight 17 (1966)
February 2, 1966
A Sikorsky S-61N helicopter operated by Pakistan International Airlines crashed near Faridpur (then East Pakistan), killing 23 of 24 on board. Mechanical failure caused the helicopter to go down, marking one of the earliest aviation tragedies in the region.
Japan Air Lines Flight 472 Hijacking (1977)
September 28, 1977
This dramatic hijacking involved Japan Air Lines Flight 472, which was forced to land at Dhaka Airport by the Japanese Red Army. The six-day standoff ended without fatalities, but the event drew global attention to Bangladesh’s airport security infrastructure.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Fokker F27 Crash (1984)
August 5, 1984
A Biman Fokker F27-600 crashed near Dhaka in poor weather while approaching the airport. All 49 passengers and crew were killed, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in Bangladesh until 2018.
F-7 Jet Crash into Bay of Bengal (2015)
June 29, 2015
An F-7 fighter jet belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Bay of Bengal during a training mission. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Tahmid, went missing and was presumed dead. It emphasized gaps in maritime search and rescue capabilities.
True Aviation Flight 21 (2016)
March 9, 2016
A cargo flight operated by True Aviation crashed into the Bay of Bengal shortly after taking off from Cox’s Bazar due to engine failure. Three of the four crew members were killed. The crash highlighted concerns about smaller charter operations.
K-8W Training Aircraft Crash (2018)
July 1, 2018
A Bangladesh Air Force K-8W trainer aircraft crashed in Jessore during a night training mission. Both pilots—Squadron Leaders Md Serajul Islam and Enayet Kabir Polash—died. The accident raised concerns about night flight safety protocols.
F-7 Crash in Tangail (2018)
November 23, 2018
An F-7 jet crashed in Madhupur, Tangail, during a routine training flight. The pilot, Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu, died in the incident. It was one of several fatal crashes involving aging F-7 aircraft.
Attempted Hijacking of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight (2019)
February 24, 2019
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 737-800 operating Flight BG147 from Dhaka to Dubai via Chattogram was the target of an attempted hijacking shortly after takeoff. A lone individual claiming to have a pistol tried to storm the cockpit and demanded to speak with the Prime Minister. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram. Security forces stormed the plane and shot the hijacker, who later died from injuries. All 148 passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The incident exposed gaps in passenger screening and inflight security, prompting immediate procedural reviews by Bangladeshi aviation authorities.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight 060 (2019)
May 8, 2019
This Biman Dash 8 Q400 flight from Dhaka skidded off the runway in Yangon during a thunderstorm. Though there were no fatalities, over 20 passengers were injured and the aircraft was written off as a total loss.
Yak-130 Trainer Jet Crash (2024)
May 9, 2024
A Yak-130 training aircraft belonging to the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Karnaphuli River during a flight from Chattogram. Squadron Leader Asim Jawad, the only person aboard, died in the crash.
Fighter Jet Crashes into School – Milestone Tragedy (2025)
July 21, 2025
A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI jet crashed into Milestone School & College in Uttara, Dhaka. The incident killed at least 32 people, including schoolchildren, a teacher, and the pilot. More than 160 others were injured. It is one of the most devastating civilian aviation incidents in Bangladesh.
Other Training & Academy Flight Incidents (2000–2015)
2000s–2015 (Multiple Incidents)
Over a 15-year span, several crashes involving aircraft from military and private flight training schools occurred across Bangladesh, including in Rajshahi, Barisal, and Uttara. These lesser-known incidents resulted in the deaths of around 15 pilots and cadets, calling attention to safety standards in flight training operations.
Bangladesh’s aviation history is marked by a mix of commercial, military, and training-related incidents. While some events involved technical failure or pilot error, others were linked to infrastructure or weather-related challenges. Each of these incidents has contributed to the evolution of aviation safety practices in the country, serving as somber reminders of the cost of oversight and the value of reform.
