Born and raised in Dhaka, I lived there for 25 years before relocating to the United States in 2015. Currently, I hold the position of research assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, contributing to a research team dedicated to enhancing aircraft safety and efficiency using AI, digital twin technologies, and predictive maintenance. Our primary goals include cost reduction, increased airworthiness, and reduced material wastage.
The tragic incident involving the FT-7 BGI jet crashing into Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara on July 21, 2025, resulting in the loss of 32 lives, including the pilot, teachers, and numerous students, and injuring over 150 individuals, deeply saddened me. However, the occurrence did not come as a shock.
Dhaka stands as one of the most densely populated cities globally, with approximately 23,234 residents per square kilometer. Despite its status as the capital, the city lacks adequate zoning regulations for critical infrastructures like military air bases. The Kurmitola air base, the departure point of the ill-fated aircraft, is encompassed by densely populated residential neighborhoods and educational institutions. In the face of a malfunction, the pilot had limited safe landing options due to the surrounding areas.
Even in advanced countries like the United States, similar tragic incidents have occurred. For instance, on January 29 of this year, a mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Washington, DC, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter claimed the lives of all 67 individuals onboard both aircraft. However, such events often prompt systemic modifications, such as enhancing flight corridors, upgrading air traffic control, and implementing AI for predictive monitoring.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, Bangladesh proposed a defense budget of Tk 42,010 crore. Over the years, the country has acquired various aircraft models, including the FT-7 BGI jet involved in the recent crash, an upgraded version of the Soviet-era MiG-21, with Bangladesh procuring 16 units from China between 2011 and 2013. Nevertheless, mere hardware acquisitions do not guarantee safety. Ensuring aircraft safety demands advanced maintenance systems, simulation capabilities, robust infrastructure, and disaster readiness—areas where Bangladesh often faces challenges in providing adequate support.
Even major global powers like the US and China are transitioning towards AI and digital twin solutions to cut costs. If these nations are investing in intelligent systems to enhance safety while minimizing expenses, it underscores the necessity for Bangladesh to follow suit, viewing it not as an option but as an imperative.
Often, our focus lies solely on preventing disasters. However, it is crucial to ponder the scenario if a disaster were to occur. For instance, consider the case of India’s Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 260 out of 261 individuals onboard and additional casualties on the ground when it collided with a medical hostel complex. Initial investigations suggest mid-air engine failure as a probable cause. Implementing onboard systems designed to delay fire propagation by a few minutes following such incidents could potentially save numerous lives. While technologies like advanced flame-retardant cabin materials and automatic fire suppression systems exist, they are not universally accessible or standard in countries like Bangladesh.
During the Dhaka crash, victims perished due to burns inside the school premises, with a delayed disaster response effort. It took four hours post-incident for the Metro Rail to transport victims, with only one coach allocated for the purpose. Ambulances faced traffic congestion, while nearby vehicles often declined to offer assistance. Prompt action during that critical period could have potentially saved many of the deceased children.
Envision a scenario where an AI system promptly categorizes incident severity from minor to severe, based on casualty estimates, proximity to medical facilities, traffic conditions, and emergency response availability. This system could instantly notify relevant authorities, activate emergency transport services like metro rail or ferries, dynamically manage traffic routes, and mobilize nearby vehicles for assistance, with subsequent government compensation managed digitally.
Even rickshaws and CNG vehicles could join a national emergency fleet equipped with built-in GPS coordination. Government investment in AI-driven disaster protocols could significantly reduce fatalities not only in aviation accidents but also in fires, industrial mishaps, and floods.
In global military flight test practices, remote and spacious areas are utilized. The US conducts tests at bases like Edwards Air Force Base, covering extensive land for flight trials. China often conducts air drills in its vast airspace, including coastal regions such as Shandong. In contrast, Bangladesh conducts flight training over Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities globally—an approach that necessitates reconsideration. Future bases should be relocated to less populated regions, with designated flight paths and emergency landing zones. The focus should not only be on modern aircraft but also on responsible geographical choices.
Bangladesh