Sagar Biswas :
Investigators have taken three factors under active consideration — whether it was technical or environmental or human involvement, for which the VVIP plane carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made an emergency landing in Turkmenistan.
Primarily, the investigators have found “human factor” behind the incident, sources said.
Especially, the investigators are giving high importance whether it was a “set up” as the VVIP plane was inspected for several times before the take off. It is believed that a group of professionals-may be five or more-might be responsible for the “human factor”.
“The plane carrying PM is usually cordoned by the members of SSF [special security force], police, other law enforcement and intelligence agencies before 24 hours of fly. Those who go to the plane for maintenance, repairing or other works have to take clearance from the proper authority. Even, the pilots have to take clearance from the police. Each and every check is done in presence of concerned agency,” a senior Biman official said preferring to remain anonymous.
“So, it is highly suspicious why such incident has happened. And so, the investigators are paying attention in the security process whether there was any loophole,” he said.
Aviation experts have opined that, there was a possibility of catching fire in the plane as the oil pipe went dry due to the leakage. So, it’s a vital question for the investigators-whether it was deliberately done, or it was negligence of anyone.
According to officials, the plane carrying PM had to face problem when a nut of a bolt in the oil passing pipe in engine no-01 was slacked almost half. For that reason, the lubricant of the engine dropped at zero level. The fault was marked after crossing Karachi. And the plane was compelled to change its route.
Referring the issue, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon has categorically blamed incompetency of national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines for which the VVIP plane caused emergency landing.
“As an aviation minister, its moral responsibility is mine. Although the operational activities of the plane are not under my jurisdictions, I’ve already expressed my sorrow for the incident… I’m taking the responsibility. I’ll tell the same in the parliament,” Menon said on Thursday.
Earlier on Wednesday, five engineers and one technician were suspended based on first round investigation report of an inquiry committee constituted by Bangladesh Biman.
Against this backdrop, the Minister said: “Biman has submitted primary investigation report. Besides, the aviation ministry and CAAB [Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh] are also conducting probe. Stern action will be taken against the responsible persons after completion of investigation.”
The VVIP flight of Bangladesh Bimam [Boeing-777] named ‘Ranga Pravat” carrying Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made emergency landing in Ashgabat, the capital of central Asian country Turkmenistan, on Sunday. Later, the plane after repairing again started for Budapest making a delay for over four hours.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry in a meeting on Monday also expressed severe annoyance over the performance of the Biman and asked the minister to take stern action against the responsible persons.
“The JS body has expressed annoyance over the incident. Another plane carrying PM had also faced problem in the runway a few months ago. We wanted to know what action had been taken against the responsible. We think that, the level of punishment should be higher in that case,” Chairman of the committee Colonel [retd] Faruk Khan said.
Earlier on June 8, an aircraft carrying the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her entourage on their return from the Kindgom of Saudi Arabia, made a half hour delay in the landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Officials said the landing of the plane was delayed as metal objects were left abandoned on the runway. Later, three committees were formed by Bangladesh Biman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities to investigate the incident.
