US-Bangla crash: Is it a wake-up call?

On March 12, 2018, a passenger aircraft of US Bangla  Airlines` crashed within the vicinity of Tribhuban International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal at noon. It was not caused by any natural hazard. It occurred either due to human error, mechanical failure or both. More than six months will be required to know the exact reasons for the tragic crash, as told by the concerned authorities.

Can this heart-breaking incident be treated as a wake-up call for the civil aviation industry of Bangladesh? If it be so, it is going to be a very tragic and costly wake up call. More than fifty lives were lost. We deeply mourn the death of these invaluable lives and pray for the salvation of the departed souls.

Civil aviation industry has been growing faster, more than 25 per cent, for the last few years. A number of private airlines have been operating side by side with the state airline Biman. In this connection, we should discuss some relevant issues.

Bangladesh is on its way to graduate from the LDC category. This achievement is the result of both private and public sector performances. In fact, the entire population of the country should be credited. Farmers have been working hard and producing diversified agro products. In the private sector, garments industry have made tremendous achievement. Pharmaceuticals and leather sectors have also made much headway. Printing and packaging industry has been doing excellently well. Unfortunately, there is another side to the story. Road and river transport sectors have made commendable expansion, but unending greed and unscrupulous operation mechanism have deteriorated the quality of service. Most of the transport drivers are over worked and their employers hardly think of the capability of the drivers, nor are they concerned about their comfort or safety. This largely is responsible for frequent accidents, some of them horrifying.

Now, is greed a factor to cause disarray in the aviation industry of the country? We are afraid greed syndrome does not occupy it. Flying aircrafts is highly technical. There is no scope for any deviation from set rules and discipline. Like road transport, it cannot have limitless flying hours. Decrepit buses can move creating noises. But this cannot be so in case of aircrafts. The same is the case with the pilots. No pilot can be allowed to fly with the least fatigue. Some greedy sponsors/owners of airlines may not, however, think so. The regulatory authority i.e., the civil aviation authority shall have to remain extremely cautious.

The other day an aircraft of Biman en route to Saidpur made emergency landing at Dhaka airport after 15 minutes of flying. Reportedly, the aircraft had engine trouble. Why should such a thing happen? Clearly, those who gave clearance prior to the take-off, showed laxity. The shenanigans must be punished.

In connection with the discussion about the tragic crash in Katmandu, some other issues cropped up. It was alleged that the rescue workers of Nepal airport could not promptly bring out the passengers from the plane which was on fire. As for ourselves, are we equipped enough to handle such a situation? Aviation experts have unequivocally opined that state-of-the-art equipment and other requirements should be adequately available to rush to rescue in case such occurrences take place. In a television talk show, one gentleman informed that 300 passengers on board a Middle Eastern airline were brought out from the aircraft within 90 seconds of its emergency landing. So, we can understand how much attention should be paid to train super skilled hands to meet an emergency. In this connection, it may be mentioned that a seriously injured patient will die on the way if he/she is taken by road transport from airport to a Dhaka hospital. A few helicopters otherwise known as short landing and take (Stol) should always be kept ready at the disposal of the airport authority. However, to ensure efficiency and good governance, the main responsibility rests with the civil aviation authority. They will have to work rising above any influence or pressure. It is reported that earlier a few lapses have been found in case of some flights.

The number of middle and higher middle class people in the society is ever increasing. That is why, aviation industry is experiencing a spectacular growth. This growth will continue provided the efficiency, skill and service of the airlines can rise to the occasion. This is the dual responsibility of the civil aviation authority and the airlines.

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