Two pilots killed in Bangladesh K-8W Karokorum training jet crashes

Two Bangladesh Air Force pilots were killed on Sunday when their Nanghang K-8W Karokorum training jet crashed at a Book Bhora Baor (water body) near Jessore Airport.

According to local bdnews24.com, the pilots have been identified as Squadron Leader Md Serajul Islam and Squadron Leader Enayet Kabir Polash.

The K-8W Karokorum advanced jet trainer designed and manufactured jointly by Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation (HAIC) of China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) crashed at Bukbhora Baor of Chandutia village of the district around 9pm on Sunday.

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The aircraft took off from BAF Base BS Matiur Rahman was on a night training mission, Inter Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said.

Efforts to recover the bodies are underway and a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the crash, it said.

The K-8W is an advance version of the K-8 that features a meliorated cockpit and head-up display. The K-8 is powered by a single Garrett TFE731-2A-2A turbofan engine designed and built by Honeywell Aerospace.

Total Bangladesh Air Force received nine K-8W aircraft in 2014. According to Air Recognition, Bangladesh on June 20 signed a contract with the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC, part of the Chinese state corporation AVIC) to supply the Bangladesh Air Force with an additional batch of K-8W combat training aircraft. The number of aircraft ordered and other details of the contract were not disclosed.

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