Aviation Express Report

An Indian air ambulance carrying a patient from Agartala to Kolkata made an emergency landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 18 after a cabin pressurisation fault damaged its main door and caused it to partially open.

The aircraft landed safely, but the patient was subsequently declared dead at Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital, according to a press release from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). The release did not specify the cause of death.

The Beechcraft King Air C90A, registration VT-HYA, departed Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala at 1:05 pm Indian time on a medical evacuation mission.

CAAB said seven people were aboard, including two crew members, a patient, a doctor and a paramedic.

The aircraft developed the pressurisation problem while climbing through 12,000 feet. With the main door damaged and partially open, the pilot declared an emergency and diverted to Dhaka.

Airport authorities activated emergency response preparations before its arrival, positioning firefighting and rescue vehicles, ambulances and medical personnel to respond to any eventuality.

The aircraft touched down safely at 1:40 pm Bangladesh time. The patient was immediately transferred to hospital, where the doctor on duty declared the patient dead. The crew members and other occupants were reported safe.

The incident also required coordination over entry and diplomatic clearance formalities.

Although the necessary clearance procedures for the crew and other occupants had not been completed, the authorities provided assistance on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of international cooperation, CAAB said.

Officials coordinated with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to facilitate the required diplomatic clearance. High Commission representatives also attended the scene and liaised with the relevant authorities.

The CAAB chairman, its members responsible for operations and air traffic management, and the airport’s executive director were present to oversee the response and coordinate assistance.