What really caused the fighter jet to plummet from the sky—and why did it crash into a school filled with children in the middle of exams?
As smoke billowed across Dhaka’s skyline and terrified students scrambled for safety, a wave of confusion, sorrow, and growing suspicion followed. Was this a tragic fluke—or does it point to a troubling pattern of aviation instability across South Asia?
A Horrific Scene in Uttara
Chaos erupted in the quiet Uttara neighborhood of Dhaka when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI fighter jet slammed into Milestone School and College during school hours. Eyewitnesses say the aircraft appeared to clip the roof of the canteen before crashing directly into the campus grounds, triggering a fiery explosion and mass panic.
Television footage showed thick black smoke pouring from the wreckage as panicked residents rushed in to help. Videos shared online captured students sprinting through the corridors, some barefoot, some bleeding, all terrified.
Over 100 people were injured in the disaster, with at least 83 currently hospitalized, according to a statement from interim leader Muhammad Yunus. “This loss is immeasurable—for the Air Force, for the children, for the families affected. We will investigate thoroughly and support those impacted in every way possible,” Yunus declared.
A Chilling Echo of India’s Recent Aviation Disaster
The tragedy in Dhaka bears disturbing resemblance to another catastrophic incident just weeks earlier in India, when an Air India Dreamliner plunged into a student dormitory in Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground.
In that case, cockpit recordings captured a haunting exchange as the plane began its descent: one pilot asked why the fuel switches had been cut; the other responded, “I didn’t do it.”
Investigators are still unable to confirm whether the switches—both of which were moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in under a second—were flipped manually or due to a system malfunction.
Though no mechanical flaws have been identified by Boeing or GE, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau remains mystified by how both engines could lose power midair without a clear trigger. The Dreamliner’s full tanks and otherwise normal flight parameters have only deepened the mystery.
A Region in Turmoil—and Turbulence
The eerie parallels between these two aviation tragedies—each involving a large aircraft, civilian casualties, and institutions of learning—have led some to question whether these are mere coincidences, or symptoms of deeper oversight failures. Could there be vulnerabilities in training, technology, or protocol that span the region’s air safety frameworks?
As investigations continue in both countries, families are left devastated, demanding clarity. Children who should have been safe in their classrooms now find themselves among the wounded—or worse, the mourned.
Final Reflection
The crashes in Dhaka and Ahmedabad are no longer isolated tragedies; they have become part of a broader reckoning. In a part of the world where air travel is rapidly expanding but oversight remains uneven, these back-to-back disasters raise urgent, uncomfortable questions.
As authorities sift through black box data and public trust erodes, one thing is heartbreakingly clear: no parent should fear sending their child to school only for them to fall victim to a falling aircraft.
In memory of those lost and injured, South Asia’s aviation leaders must not only answer hard questions—they must ensure such horror never happens again.