What can't but make one sit up and take note are the reported allegations of inefficiency against the pilot and of his being under the spell of alcoholic drinks while on duty. In fact, it is understood that on behalf of his colleagues a written complaint about him was made to the higher authorities, but in spite of this he was purportedly made chief of safety. A five-member probe committee which has been promptly constituted to go into the accident is expected to shed light on this.

If these allegations are proven following the investigation, then it is only natural that serious questions about flight safety would arise in the public mind. First and foremost, however, one would like to know whether any inquiry was instituted into the allegations to determine their validity or otherwise, so that preemptive action could have been taken in good time. The civil aviation authority must find answers to these questions because it is a matter of safety for many people who choose to fly Biman.

There have been as many as three plane accidents in the last one year. Technical faults were mainly cited as reasons for the mishaps not to the exclusion of a mix of human factors, though. Biman badly needs to spruce up its image in a highly competitive world of civil aviation commerce where safety standards are prime considerations in making choice of airlines.

On and off, there have been controversies over how much of an older vintage some of our aircrafts are as well as over purchase deals, etc. It's high time the government took the matter seriously and assured the Biman clientele of good safety and service standards.