Probe into emergency landing of BD plane in India

A three-member investigation team from Bangladesh arrived at Raipur on Monday to investigate the circumstances leading to emergency landing of United Airways Bangladesh (UBD 585) flight at Swami Vivekananda airport here following a engine failure on August 7.

The team, comprising investigation in-charge Capt Akram Ahmed, member secretary Md Ayub Khan and member Mohammad Shafiul Azam are being assisted by a team of Air India officials to ascertain the cause behind the engine breakdown and the resultant damage caused to United-Airwaysaircraft and injuries to the staff and personnel. It may be recalled that following the emergency landing, a part of the aircraft engine was recovered from the fields in Bemetara Village.

Confirming the arrival of the team, airport director Santosh Dhoke said since a major tragedy could have occurred, Bangladesh government is conducting an in-depth inquiry into the incident. He said the investigations could take another couple of days.

Though the terms of reference of the inquiry also includes assessing of circumstances that led to injuries to staff and personnel of the aircraft, no confirmation of any injuries caused during the emergency landing were reported by airport officials here. The 173-odd passengers travelling on Dhaka-Muscat flight were stranded at Raipur airport arrival area for over 24 hours and left for their destination a day later on an alternate flight (S2-AEH) that arrived from Dhaka.

The Air India team, which is assisting the investigations, would also take stock of the steps taken by airport authorities here to tackle the emergency landing and subsequent action.

 -ToI


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