Even though a wheel fell off from mid-air, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dash 8-400 aircraft successfully landed at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport—a truly astonishing event.
On Friday, at 1:20 PM, Flight BG 436 took off from Cox's Bazar with 71 passengers bound for Dhaka. Shortly after takeoff, one of its rear wheels detached and fell off.
Nevertheless, thanks to the exceptional skill and quick thinking of Captain Billah and First Officer Zayed, the aircraft safely landed at 2:20 PM without any injuries to the passengers.
This incident proves that major accidents can be avoided in adverse situations if handled by competent pilots.
However, it also exposed severe maintenance and engineering flaws in the aircraft, which could negatively impact the airline's reputation.
Such incidents are not new in Bangladesh. Over the past decade, there have been several documented mechanical issues in aircraft operated by Bangladeshi airlines, frequently putting passenger safety at risk.
Although aviation safety standards are much higher in developed countries, mechanical failures still occur there too. For example, incidents of landing gear malfunctions or engine failures have been reported in the United States and Europe.
However, due to advanced technical systems and better-trained pilots, major disasters are often avoided. Analysis of such events reveals that poor maintenance, the use of old parts, and the lack of modern technology are primary reasons behind these types of accidents.
Notably, in December 2024 alone, six aircraft accidents occurred worldwide, resulting in 236 deaths. On December 29, a Jeju Airlines plane crashed while landing at South Korea's Muan Airport, killing 179 people.
The aircraft faced landing gear issues during descent, believed to have been caused by a bird strike.
Besides that, technical failures in engines, control gear systems, or flight data recorders can also cause accidents.
Pilot or crew errors, miscommunication, operational mistakes, negligence, or even falling asleep can also lead to disasters. F
urthermore, natural disasters such as storms, snowfall, or heavy fog can sometimes make aircraft operations extremely challenging. In 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines aircraft crashed in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 49 people.
Despite all this, there is no significant reason for fear when traveling by air. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the rate of aircraft accidents is very low—only 0.05 accidents per one lakh (100,000) passengers.
The black box, which includes the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), helps determine the causes of aircraft accidents in most cases.
To prevent such incidents, the use of modern technology and a well-trained workforce is crucial. The Carrier Landing System (CLS) and Anti-skid Braking System (ABS) play vital roles in ensuring flight safety.
The CLS helps pilots land accurately even in adverse weather or low visibility, while the ABS prevents wheel skidding on wet or slippery runways, aiding in a safe landing. Investment in such modern technologies is essential for Bangladesh.
Alongside, the regular advanced training and accountability of maintenance and engineering personnel are necessary. Routine and thorough mechanical inspections of all aircraft and the swift replacement of faulty parts are also crucial to ensuring air safety.
