A four-member investigation committee of Biman Bangladesh Airlines has identified five technical defects in the Boeing aircraft that carried Prime Minister Tarique Rahman back from Japan, according to the panel’s report.
Only one of the defects was detected and reported during the flight operation itself. Multiple sources within Biman confirmed that the investigation report has been submitted to the ministry.
Tarique Rahman visited Japan on 26 October. On the return leg on 29 October, pilots and engineers identified a technical fault on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner before takeoff at Narita International Airport.
The flight was delayed by approximately five hours while the defect was repaired, after which the aircraft continued to Bangladesh with the prime minister on board.
At the time, the only issue publicly reported was a fault in the spoiler system.
Spoilers are wing-mounted surfaces that help reduce speed after touchdown and assist in controlling the aircraft on the runway. A malfunction can affect landing control and safety.
Investigation Committee and Additional Findings
Following public discussion of the incident, Biman formed a four-member investigation committee. It was chaired by the Chief (Planning and Scheduling), with the Chief Engineer (Engineering Production), Deputy Chief (Flight Safety) and Manager (Legal Affairs) as the other members.
The engineers on the committee determined that, in addition to the spoiler fault, four other technical defects were present in the aircraft:
- Flap extension fault: The flaps on the trailing edge of the wings failed to extend properly. Flaps are critical for controlling speed and lift during take-off and landing.
- Pitot heating system fault: This system electrically heats the pitot tubes and static ports to prevent ice formation. At high altitudes or in cloud, ice can form and produce incorrect airspeed, altitude and vertical-speed readings.
- Ram air fan system faults (left and right): Failure of these fans affects aircraft air-conditioning and cabin-pressure control. The fans draw in outside air to cool the heat exchangers.
Aviation experts have expressed concern that multiple technical faults were present on a flight carrying the country’s most senior official.
A Biman source said the investigation committee has completed and submitted its report, and the ministry will now decide on the next steps.