Damage to 2 Boeing Aircraft: 5 Biman officials suspended

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended five of its officials and staff for their involvement in damaging two Boeing aircraft on April 10.

The suspended are principal engineer Mohammad Badrul Islam; three engineer officers Md Mainul Islam, Syed Bahaul Islam and Selim Hossain Khan; and GSE operator Md Hafizur Rahman, said Biman Managing Director and CEO Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal.

The Biman boss told The Daily Star that actions were taken against them based on report of the investigation committee formed by the civil aviation and tourism ministry.

According to the investigation report, the five were held responsible for flouting section 55 of the service rules of Bangladesh Biman Corporation Employees (1979) Regulations.

The national-flag carrier formed two committees and the ministry formed one following the incident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 10.

On April 10, Biman's Boeing 777-300ER, while entering the hanger, strongly collided with Boeing 737-800, which was already there.

As a result, the radome and front bulkhead of the 777 aircraft and the horizontal stabiliser on the left of the 737 aircraft were partially damaged. The two Boeing aircraft, however, came into operation within three days thanks to the efforts of Biman's  engineers and Boeing, said Biman on April 14.

Ali Naser, chief engineer (quality assurance) of Biman, headed a four-member investigation committee, while another of Biman's committee was headed by the chief of safety. The civil aviation ministry also formed a four-member probe committee.