The Crash
On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force FT‑7 BGI training jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, shortly after taking off from Kurmitola Air Base. The aircraft, an upgraded version of China’s F‑7 fighter, struck school buildings just after midday. Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar died in the crash, and at least 20 people, including students, were killed on the ground. More than 170 others suffered injuries, many severe burns. Witnesses described flames engulfing classrooms, with panicked students and teachers rushing to escape the fire and smoke.
The Aircraft & MiG‑21 Legacy
The FT‑7 BGI is part of the F‑7 family, China’s export variant of the Chengdu J‑7—a reverse-engineered derivative of the Soviet MiG‑21. In the 1960s, China obtained MiG‑21 blueprints and tooling from the USSR and later redesigned aspects of the aircraft, including avionics and cockpit systems. The FT‑7 BGI features upgraded radar, HOTAS controls, and a glass cockpit, but its core aerodynamics and engine performance remain rooted in the 1960s MiG‑21 platform.
This crash has renewed focus on the long-standing debate over the F‑7’s safety. Critics argue that while cost-effective, the jet’s outdated design and complex maintenance history make it prone to mechanical failure, especially as airframes age.
Safety Record in Bangladesh
Bangladesh acquired 16 FT‑7 BGIs between 2011 and 2013 as part of its fleet modernization. However, the country has experienced a troubling pattern of F‑7 series accidents. Over the last 20 years, at least seven crashes involved Chinese-built jets, often linked to technical malfunctions during training flights. Aviation experts have pointed to limited local servicing capacity, aging spares, and design limitations of the MiG‑21 platform as contributing factors.
Human Impact & Mourning
The Dhaka crash has been described as one of the worst aviation disasters involving the Bangladesh Air Force. Most victims were young students caught in classrooms as debris and flames spread through the school. Families rushed to hospitals searching for missing children, while rescuers carried the injured using rickshaws and makeshift stretchers. The government declared a national day of mourning, lowering flags and organizing prayers nationwide.
International aid, including burn specialists from India, was mobilized to help treat critical victims. Vigils and protests have demanded accountability and a reassessment of using older fighter platforms near densely populated areas.
Investigations & Lessons
A joint inquiry by the Bangladesh Air Force and civil aviation authorities is underway to determine whether a technical fault or maintenance lapse caused the crash. Early evidence suggests a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. Analysts are also questioning flight path safety, as training flights routinely pass over urban zones like Uttara.
Summary
The July 2025 Dhaka crash of a Chinese FT‑7 BGI fighter jet—derived from the MiG‑21—has left at least 20 dead and over 170 injured, exposing vulnerabilities in aging aircraft design and raising questions about operational safety near civilian areas. The tragedy underscores the risks of relying on Cold War–era technology, even in upgraded forms, and highlights the urgent need for modernization, better maintenance infrastructure, and safer flight protocols in Bangladesh’s air force.