History of aviation in Bangladesh

The history of aviation in pre-1947 India began with kites, the traditional heavier-than-air man-made object that is flown by one or more people while staying on the ground. The first recorded manned flight was arranged by the Dhaka Nawab Family in 1882, which resulted in the death of the flyer.

Early era

Unmanned flight

Kite flying was one of the many different forms of entertainment of the elite people of Dhaka, since the Mughal period. It became a festive tradition during the period of Nayeb-e-Nazim Nawajesh Mohammad Khan in the 1740s.[1] Kite flying is still a popular pastime in Bangladesh, especially right after the monsoon.[2] In the older parts of Dhaka it is one of the most popular activities.[3] Kite painting was a specialized art form in the 18th century in Bangladesh.[4] Some kites of Bengal has been known to keep flying for three months. They were big kites tied to anchors with stout ropes.[5]

Kite flying festival had long been a major festival. The Chaitra Sankranti festival (known as Shakrain or Hakrain in Old Dhaka[6]) is celebrated every year in the last day of the Bengali calendar (30th Choitro, mid April). It is a major event for competitive kite flying and boat racing.[7] Combating fighter kite flyers trying to slash each other's carefully sharpened kite-string is a major part of the competition.[8] In West Bengal the major kite flying festival happens on the day of Makar Sankranti or end of winter (mid January), and Vasant Panchami (late February).[9][10]

First manned flight

Jenny Rumary van Tassel accompanied her balloonist daughter Jeanette Van Tassel when she died in an attempt at the first manned flight in Bangladesh in 1883

Jeanette Van Tassel, a young balloonist from the United States, was hired by the then incumbent Nawab Khwaja Ahsanullah. She was a member of a family troupe of professional balloonists and arrived with her mother, Jenny Rumary Van Tassel. At 6.20pm on 16 March 1892, she set off to fly from the southern bank of the River Buriganga to the roof of Ahsan Manzil, lying across the river. But a gusting wind carried her off to the gardens of Shahbag, where her balloon became stuck in a tree. She was killed in her fall to the ground, and lies interred in the Christian graveyard at Narinda, Dhaka.[11][12]

World War II

Main article: Burma Campaign
Thunderbolts in East Bengal during Burma Campaign
Thunderbolts of No. 30 Squadron RAF taxiing past a line of Hawker Hurricane Mark IICs, at Cox's Bazar
Thunderbolt Mark Is of No. 135 Squadron RAF lined up, being overflown by three other Thunderbolts at Chittagong

Modern aviation in modern Bangladesh area began when the British Government of India built a Royal Indian military airstrip in Tejgaon during World War II to fly warplanes towards the battle fields of Kohima and war theaters in Burma.[13] Other airstrips were built in Comilla, Feni, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Chakaria, Sylhet, Jessore, Rajshahi and Lalmonirhat.

In August 1943, a South Asia Command was formed under Admiral Mountbatten, including the RAF Third Tactical Air Force (Third TAF), which launched the second Burma Campaign against the Empire of Japan in the December that year. The Royal Indian Airforce (RIAF), Indian part of the Royal Air Force played a crucial role by providing tactical reconnaissance and extensive close support to the army when a British Corps started advancing down the Arakan coast in January 1944.

In November 1943, 6 Squadron and later 8 Squadron were moved to Cox's Bazaar.[14][15] By the end of February 1944, No 6 Squadron pilots had completed over 1,000 operational sorties, averaging 6 sorties a day per pilot, a record for the entire the Third TAF. Towards the end of March 1944, 4 Squadron joined the operations when it was moved first to Feni airfield, and then to Comilla in June to replace 6 Squadron.[16]

In May, 9 Squadron was moved to Comilla after a brief spell of tactical reconnaissance duties supporting the battles of Imphal and Kohima.[17] During August 1944, the two squadrons carried out intensive bombing of Japanese positions in the Sangu River valley, specially for three consecutive days in Labawa to support an offensive by 81 Division to expel the Japanese from the area. By the end of December 1944, 10 Squadron had also been moved into the operational area at Ramu. With the fall of Rangoon on 3 May 1945, the operations in Burma were reduced to mopping up of small pockets of resistance. By the end of June most of the Royal Air forces squadrons were withdrawn, leaving only 8 Squadron to assist in the mopping up.

The Shahjalal International Airport originated in 1941, during the second world war, as the British government built a landing strip at Kurmitola, several kilometers north of Tejgaon, as an extra landing strip for the Tejgaon Airport. At the that time Tejgaon was a military airport, to operate warplanes towards the war fields of Kohima (Assam) and Burmese war theatres.[13] Shah Amanat International Airport was a combat airfield as well as a supply point and photographic reconnaissance base by the United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force during the Burma Campaign 1944-1945.[18] Known American units assigned to Chittagong were: 80th Fighter Group, flew P-38 Lightning fighters over Burma between March 1944 and February 1945; 8th Reconnaissance Group, between October and December 1944 (various detachments); and 4th Combat Cargo Group, flew C-46 Commando transports between January and June 1945. Osmani International Airport in Sylhet was built during British rule as Sylhet Civil Airport, partly to check Japanese aggression from Burma. Biman Bangladesh Airlines earns most of its revenue from this airport.[19]

Civil aviation

A DC-3 from the 1940s

When the war was over, the colonial government decided to build the Tejgaon Airport along with a landing strip at Kurmitola to meet the needs of a Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) station in Dhaka. In 1946, the Mirza Ahmad Ispahani and his partners formed an airline - Orient Airways - which soon started using the airport as a civil airport.[13] Shifting its base from Kolkata to Karachi when Pakistan was born, Orient Airways started DC-3 flights from Karachi to Dhaka on 7 June 1954, forming a critical connection between the capitals of geographically separated East and West Pakistan. On March 11, 1955, Orient Airways merged with the government's proposed airline, becoming Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, later rechristened as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

In 1947, British granted independence to India and created Pakistan (Partition of India), in Pakistan the ares of modern-day Bangladesh were included.

The Eastern Pakistan Flying Club was established in 1948. By 1960, British Overseas Airways Corporation and Pan American Airways had started operating flights out of Dhaka, PIA had started operating Boeing 707 and Vickers VC10 jet services, and new airports had been established out of former Royal Air Force stations at Jessore, Chittagong, Thakurgaon, Ishwardi, and Comilla.[13] During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, services to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) were proving to be difficult, therefore PIA placed their Sikorsky S-61 helicopters on these routes until 1966 when conditions improved. In the 1971 war, PIA aided the Pakistan Army by transporting soldiers to East Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and lost a couple of its aircraft to Indian Air Force fighters.[20] Between 10 and 13 March, immediately before the war started, Pakistan International Airlines cancelled all their international routes to urgently fly "Government Passengers" to Dacca. These "Government Passengers" were almost all Pakistani soldiers in civilian dress.

Liberation War

Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman

During the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fought had extensive engagements in the sky over Bangladesh. The first engagement was on 22 November over the Salient of Boyra in West Bengal.[21] In the process Tejgaon Airport suffered extensive damage.

Bangladesh Air Force was organised in India with the initiative of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud (Ex-PAF Pilot), Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed (Ex-PIA Pilot), Captain Akram Ahmed (Ex-Plant protection Pilot) and Captain Sattar (ex-PIA Pilot) and Captain Sarfuddin (Ex-PIA Pilot). Later many Bangladeshi ex-PAF Officers joined in Bangladesh Air Force in India. Finally Bangladesh Air Force was formed in late July 1971. Indian Air Force trained these Officers July 1971 through November 1971 as fighter pilots. Bangladesh Air Force first went in action on 3 December 1971 and attacked the Chittagong-based Oil tank depot and oil tank depot was totally destroyed by that air attack. The Air attack was conducted by Capt. Akram Ahmed. The second Bangladesh Air Force attack was on 6 December 1971 at Moulovi Bazar Pakitani Army barracks under the command of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud, where Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed was co-pilot.[22]

Then, on the night of 3 December 1971, Canberra bombers of Eastern Air Command struck Tejgaon, which was guarded by PAF No. 14 squadron equipped with Sabre jets which lacked night fighting capability. By the morning of 4 December, strike missions against Tejgaon were assigned to 11 IAF squadrons, including Hunters of the No. 7 Squadron, No. 14 Squadron, No. 17 Squadron and No. 37 Squadron of IAF, as well as Su-7s of No. 221 Squadron and MiG-21s of No. 28 Squadron.

Throughout 4 and 5 December, IAF concentrated in attacking the aircraft on the ground. But, it failed to cause significant damage to the PAF assets in well-dispersed and camouflaged locations. By the evening of 5 December, the IAF changed tactics. On the morning of 6 December four MiG-21s (No. 28 Sqn), flying from Gauhati hit Tejgaon with 1000lber, scoring several hits on the runway. Kurmitola was attacked on the morning of 7 December, when Mig-21s of No. 28 Sqn again hit the runway. No. 7 Sqn was pulled out of the eastern ops on the 6 December to help the Indian Army in the west. Repeated attack by MiG-21s and Hunters of No. 14 and No.28 however, kept the runway cratered. The IAF assault effectively grounded the PAF by 7 December, and No. 14 Squadron was taken out of the war.[23] The IAF also bombed other airfields including the abandoned WWII airfields of Comilla, Lalmanirhat and Shamsher Nagar through the war, denying their use to PAF.

On August 20, 1971 Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman attempted to pilot a T-33 trainer from Karachi, Pakistan to India in order to defect from the Pakistan Air Force and join the liberation movement of Bangladesh. However, Matiur could not take the plane out of Pakistani territory, as reportedly, Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas, the other pilot in the plane, forced it to crash in Thatta, a place near the Indian border.[24] Matiur was awarded Bir Sreshtho and Minhas was awarded Nishan-E-Haider, respectively the highest military honors in Bangladesh and Pakistan, and both has air bases named after them, respectively in Jessore and Kamra.[25]

Post-independence

Resumption of civil aviation

The first civil flight of independent Bangladesh operated from Tejgaon Airport by capt. A. rhim on 1 January 1972 with a Cessna 150. The first international flight from Independent Bangladesh destined to Calcutta departed on 10 January 1972. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-3 subsequently crashed, killing the aircrew.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines was formed with one Boeing 707 left behind by PIA.

Bangladesh Air Force

Main article: Bangladesh Air Force
A BAF An-32 Cline

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was formed at Dimapur, Nagaland, India on 28 September 1971 under the command of Air Commodore AK Khondakar (later Air Vice Marshal and Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force). At that time, the nucleus of the (BAF) was formed as 'Kilo Flight' to assist the Mukti Bahini (Freedom Fighters). Initially, 'Kilo Flight' consisted of three aircraft provided by the Indian Air Force, 09 officers and 47 airmen. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud (retired as Air Vice Marshal and Chief of the Air Staff of BAF) was appointed as the commander of 'Kilo Flight'. After having some basic training on air to ground weapon delivery, 'Kilo Flight' successfully bombed a fuel storage in Chittagong and Narayangonj area and thus the journey of BAF had commenced. During the last phase of the Bangladesh Liberation War the newly formed Bangladesh Air Force carried out 12 successful attack missions over Pakistani targets.[26]

After liberation in 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force received equipment from the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of Chinaa clutch of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighters; Antonov An-24 and Antonov An-26 transport aircraft; and Mil Mi-4 helicopters.

Shahjalal International Airport started operation in 1981. It is the home base and hub of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, GMG Airlines and United Airways.

Incidents and accidents

The following is a list of all the aviation incidents and accidents that have occurred in Bangladesh as well as East Pakistan.

Pakistan period

Bangladesh period: early

Bangladesh period: recent

References

  1. Khan, Sadat Ullah (2012). "Kite2". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  2. Enamul Haque, An Anthology on crafts of Bangladesh, page 102, National Crafts Council of Bangladesh, 1987
  3. Jamshed Ahmed et al, Social Formation in Dhaka, 1985–2005, page 308, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2012, ISBN 9781409492719
  4. Harun-or-Rashid, History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971, page 243-250, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 1992, ISBN 984-512-337-6
  5. Popular Science, page 14, 12-01-1930, The Modern Publishing Company
  6. Shakrain festival. The Daily Star. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  7. Jahed Rahman, Bends and Shades, page 37, Xlibris Corporation, 2014, ISBN 9781493175048
  8. Elena Martinez, "Kite flying from Silk Road to Roosevelt Avenue", The Voice: Journal of New York Folklore (Volume 31), Spring-Summer, 2005
  9. Vanessa Betts, Kolkata and West Bengal Footprint Focus Guide, page 17, Footprint Travel Guides, 2013, ISBN 9781909268418
  10. Jane Hutchings, India, Page 109, Ingram Pub Services, 1998, ISBN 9780887291333
  11. A daredevil balloonist flown in from America. NawabBari Official Website. Retrieved: July 05, 2007
  12. The Van Tassel Family History Homepage. Retrieved: July 05, 2007
  13. 1 2 3 4 Uddin, Syed Mohd Saleh (2012). "Airports". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  14. No. 6 Squadron from Bharat-Rakshak
  15. No. 8 Squadron from Bharat-Rakshak
  16. No. 4 Squadron from Bharat-Rakshak
  17. No. 9 Squadron from Bharat-Rakshak
  18. Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4
  19. "Sylhet Osmani airport a nightmare for passengers". The Daily Star. 2003-07-13. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
  20. Aircraft Losses In Pakistan -1971 War (PAF, Army Aviation, and Civilian aircraft Casualties) - by P V S Jagan Mohan
  21. India-Pakistan War 1971: Introduction. Tom Cooper & Shais Ali. Air Combat and Information Group. Retrieved: July 05, 2007
  22. Ahmed, Akram; Ahmed, Shahabuddin. Interview with Captain Akram Ahmed and Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed. (Interview). ATN Bangla. Dhaka.
  23. "Men of Valor". Goecities. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. The PAF was taken out of battle when the IAF bombers destroyed the only airfield in Dacca, twice.
  24. Selim, Md (2012). "Rahman, Birsrestha Matiur". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  25. Rashid Minhas: The glorious pilot By Rabbia Javaid, from Dawn
  26. Bangladesh Air Force History. Bangladesh Military Forces. Retrieved: July 05, 2007
  27. Accident description for AP-AJS at the Aviation Safety Network
  28. UK CAA Document CAA 429 World Airline Accident Summary
  29. Accident description for TF-LLG at the Aviation Safety Network
  30. Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network
  31. 1 2 "JAL 1977 plane hijack in Dhaka: Japanese filmmaker to make documentary". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  32. "Japanese Red Army member's life sentence to stand". Japan Times. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  33. Accident description for S2-ABG at the Aviation Safety Network
  34. Accident description for S2-ABJ at the Aviation Safety Network
  35. "First In Bangladesh- First Bangladeshi".
  36. "AROUND THE WORLD; 49 Die in Bangladesh As Plane Plunges". The New York Times. 6 August 1984. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  37. "Aviation Safety". Aviation-Safety. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  38. 1 2 3 "58 killed in 9 air crashes since '71". The Daily Star Bangladesh. 2 July 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  39. "ASN Aircraft accident Fokker F-28 S2-ACV Dhaka-Zia International Airport (DAC)". Aircraft Safety Network. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  40. "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 707 Dhaka-Zia International Airport (DAC)". Aircraft Safety Network. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  41. Accident description for S2-ACH at the Aviation Safety Network
  42. "Biman escapes possible crash-landing in Chittagong". 9 July 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  43. Accident description for S2-ADN at the Aviation Safety Network
  44. Accident description for TF-ARS at the Aviation Safety Network
  45. "Bomb hoax in Ctg-bound flight from UAE". The Daily Star Bangladesh. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  46. Fire at Ctg airport
  47. Accident description for L16-2/52 at the Aviation Safety Network
  48. "Plane lost windshield in mid-air". The Daily Star. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  49. "Accident: United Airways ATR72 near Dhaka on August 13th 2012, windshield completely blown out". The Aviation Herald. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  50. "Fire at Shahjalal airport". The Daily Star. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  51. "Fire fighters douse Dhaka airport fire". Bangladesh News 24. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  52. "Training plane crashes in Rajshahi". The Daily Star. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  53. "Incident: Atlanta Icelandic B744 at Dhaka on September 28th 2013, overheating brakes". The Aviation Herald. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  54. 161 passengers escape unhurt at Shah Amanat airport
  55. Aircraft makes emergency landing in Chittagong
  56. Accident description for S2-AFN at the Aviation Safety Network
  57. "Accident: United Airways AT72 at Coxs Bazar on July 20th 2014, nose gear collapse". The Aviation Herald. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  58. 1 2 "Plane crash in Rajshahi kills female pilot". The Daily Star. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  59. "Air force chopper crash lands in Ctg, 3 hurt". The Daily Star Bangladesh. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  60. "Coastguards find debris of Bangladesh Air Force’s F-7 fighter jet, pilot still missing". bdnews24.com. bdnews24. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  61. "Bangladesh Air Force’s fighter jet crashes into Bay of Bengal". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 July 2015.

General sources

External links

Aviation schools

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