1 year after US-Bangla crash, fingers point to pilot
The Accident Investigation Commission set up by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation in January presented its report containing the graphic transcript of translated conversation picked up by the Cockpit Voice Recorder on US- Bangla BS211. Till now, clues about the state of mind of the pilot in command had come from the Air Traffic Control tape posted on the Internet on the day of the crash. This transcript shows that Captain Abid Sultan’s state of mind was much more unstable than first thought. Excerpts:
Read also: US-Bangla plane crashes at TIA
CODESInternal cockpit conversation, with transmissions to Ground in boldTime in UTCNumbers in bold correspond to yellow boxes in map of the flight path[“SQUARE BRACKETS”] are audio cockpit warnings FO: Flight Officer OPS: US-Bangla Operations
PIC: Pilot in CommandBangla: Conversation translated from BanglaKTM: KathmanduADC: Air Defence Clearance FIC: Flight Information CentreRomeo: Waypoint southeast of Kathmandu
Guras: Waypoint 12 miles south of KathmanduVFR: Visual Flight RulesEGPWS: Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning SystemDME: Distance Measuring Equipment (miles from beacon)VOR: Visual Omni-directional Range beaconROD: Rate of Descent
FO: 0636:20.2 Dhaka Ground BS211 good afternoonDhaka Ground: 0636:20.2 BS211 good afternoon, go head ma’m FO:0636:34.8 BS211 standing at 28 South flight for KTM FL 240
PIC: 0642:24.0 Do you have the ADC number? (Bangla) FO: 0642:25.9 No Sir, I have one number 2177
PIC: 0642:25.9 Operations, BS211, how long will you take to respond, I want the ADC and FIC. (Angry tone)
OPS: 0643:31.5 KTM FIC for 211 is 1171 ADC KX 848 and for 212 FIC PIC: 0643:39.7 I don’t want f–k 212, I want 211 (Very angry) … I don’t want to f–k you, read you, again? Keep your f—ing mouth shut.
PIC: 0650:10.5 Got the clearance? FO: 0650:09.1 Yes sir, line up is due. PIC: 0650:16.0 Don’t be scared, I am going to stay for another 3 months, I am going to f–k these people right and left.
Dhaka Tower: 0650:25.7 BS211 clear line up runway 14 FO: 0650:30.4 Clear line up, clear line up runway 14, BS211
PIC: 0651:03.5 Bismillah, have we done the takeoff checklist? (Bangla) FO: 0651:40.5 80 kts, power set, V1 rotate, positive rate PIC: 0652:32.5 Look out for birds PIC: 0652:44.9 Autopilot engaged, 1,000, turning right. Perform the flow check (Bangla)
Dhaka Tower: 0652:49.9 BS211 airborne 52, call turning right FO: 0652:46.4 We are turning right BS211 Dhaka Tower: 0652:57.5 Roger re-cleared to 240, call passing 4,000 FO: 0652:57.5 Recleared to 240, we’ll call out of 4,000
PIC: 0653:31.5 Even I am abusing others, you don’t be afraid, Buri, I am addressing you as Buri to show my affection for you. (Bangla)
PIC: 0656:14.5 Operations BS 211? OPS: 0656:17.5 BS 211 Operations, go ahead Sir — PIC: 0656:32.5 Why the hell you need the onboard fuel? Why do you ask me the onboard fuel? Tell me the reason you want to do with onboard fuel, let me know now … I want written f—ing explanation before I come back to Dhaka
OPS: 0659:27.5 Copied Sir, Wilco, Safe flight Sir PIC: 0659:34.5 I don’t f–k care about the safe flight, you f–k your duty … Don’t talk to me unless I call you
PIC: 0700:04.5 Okay, after takeoff checklist done? (Normal tone) FO: 0700:07.5 Sir, yes, Sir done PIC: 0700:09.5 Mother f—er, piglets, son of bitch (Bangla, low voice)
PIC: 0715:33.5 (Paraphrased and shortened from transcript) Lamia was the worst trained in US-Bangla, now in Biman Bangladesh talks ill of US- Bangla instructors including me. They said we f—ed in the cockpit. Lamia is not even worth approaching, she is ugly, fat with obnoxious appearance…what the f–k is she, the beauty queen of the world? My wife is far more beautiful, I don’t need Lamia. If I intend to buy sex, I can do that with 100 dollars. Because of the mother f—er Lamia, only Lamia, I decided to resign. She talks big, what she knows about flying … if this impression goes to my wife and imagine if you were my wife, if you learn that your husband is fooling with another girl, how would you feel? FO: 0715:33.5 Oh no, oh my God. PIC: 0717:40.5 That f—er, that son of a gun, bitch, she asked to fly 100 hours with me. With no intention that she has big boobs nor she would do sex with me. If I want to f–k her, I can f–k her in the hotel. And you know that your friend is f—ing too horny. She has a… she does sex with 6-7 guys I know. You note it, she is not a virgin … So, your friend Lamia is a prostitute. (Bangla) FO: 0720:46.5 Sir, shouldn’t I switch on the radar?PIC: 0804:52.5 That f—er Lamia, she made me… look at my f—ing eyes… weeping … crying… where did I do mistake (crying)? I take the blame and resigned. What is my next source of income? At least look at me f—er (crying and blowing nose) Do I need to cry like this? FO: No, no Sir. PIC: Look at me now (crying, choking and blowing nose). So, it is my problem that I have not been able to teach you. PIC: 0806:08.5 Okay, let us do the descent checklist (Bangla). FO: Yes Sir, it is time (Bangla)PIC: 0806:55.5 I have suffered a lot, my child (bursts out crying, blowing nose)FO: Sir, please forget. The God is above us. Even if you find it hard to forgive her, please forgive her. PIC: How can I forgive her. The girl for whom I have taken so much pain. We don’t know f–k how do I accept that, tell me (crying and blowing nose) PIC: 0807:42.5 We will do approach checklist at Romeo, okay (Bangla)? FO: Yes SirPIC: Ask, request for descent
FO: 0807:49.5 Kathmandu, BS211 ready for descent KTM Control: 0807:49.5 BS211, descend to FL 160
PIC: 0810:17.5 Do you know that I have not slept during the whole night and I cried a lot (Bangla). I have received so much pain … you have seen me now. I have cried enough my daughter, cried a lot.
KTM Approach: 0813:41.5 BS211, Reduce to minimum speed and descend to 12,500 ft FO: 0813:45.5 Descend to 12,500 and reduce speed to minimum BS211
PIC: Good job my daughter. FO: SirPIC: 0819:03.5 I have dropped my cigarette, let me find the thing, do you know where I have dropped it … it is on the left. There is possibility of catching fire. FO: 0819:22.5 Sir, we are getting into cloudPIC: Forget it. Okay adjust the pitch control of Weather Radar … Okay we don’t need this now out of cloud (Bangla) … Why are you holding the power levers? I am the pilot flying, idiot, I should be holding. What is our QNH 1015 okay? Okay put your HDG bug on top.
KTM Approach: 0822:15.5 BS211, confirm holding over Guras? FO: 0822:15.5 We are continuing approach
PIC: 0822:57.5 How much will it be at 13 DME? 9,800. Is it okay? Pumps on, Flaps 5FO: Okay. Speed good for flaps… Flaps 5 PIC: 0823:00.5 Flaps 15 … Do the Before Landing Checklist … Do it FO: 0823:17.5 Landing GearPIC: Down Three GreenFO: FlapsPIC: 15 setFO: Sir, not yet set [LANDING GEAR UNSAFE WARNING] … Sir, Speed Speed SpeedPIC: No worry, no worry [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING] KTM Approach: 0823:46.5 BS211, Position 10 Miles, contact Tower 118.1 [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING CONTINUES] FO: 0824:37.5 Kathmandu Tower, BS211, Finals RW 02 [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING]
KTM Tower: 0824:45.5 BS211, Kathmandu Tower, wind 230 degrees 8 knots, tail wind component 7 knots, runway 02, continue approach
PIC: Okay do Before Landing Checklist now (Bangla)FO: Sir, have done Before Landing ChecklistPIC: What altitude at 5 DMEFO: At 5 DME 6,640PIC: 6,640 So let me increase the RODFO: Yes Sir, the ROD needs to be increased … 4 DME, Sir we are 600 ft highPIC: I do not understand what you are saying, say slowly. (Bangla) [“MIMINUMS, MIMINUMS] [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING] PIC: 0825:46.5 Have we seen the runway? (Bangla) [EGPWS “MINIMUM” “SINK RATE”] [“TOO LOW-GEARS”] [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING CONTINUES]. KTM Tower: 0826:33.5 BS211, wind 220 degrees 7 knots, tail wind component 6 knots, runway 02, clear to land. [EGPWS SOUND] [“TOO LOW-GEARS”] [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING CONTINUES] FO: 0826:37.5 Clear to land, BS211 FO: 0826:46.5 Sir, Gear not yet down! (Bangla) [GEAR UNSAFE WARNING] [“TOO LOW – GEAR”] [“TERRAIN”] PIC: Okay put the gear down. Flaps 15, and Before Landing ChecklistFO: Landing Checklist done SirPIC: Done? Okay set the Go Around Altitude 10,500PIC: 0827:17.5 Have we seen the runway (Bangla)?FO: No not yet (Bangla) PIC: Not seen yet? (Bangla) No problem, it will be in front.
1
KTM Tower: 0827:43.5 BS211, Tower…. you were given landing clearance to runway 02PIC: 0827:45.5 Affirmative Ma’am KTM Tower: 0827:48.5 You are going towards Runway 20
PIC: 0827:53.5 I think we are going to Runway 02
KTM Tower: 0828:01.5 Ok, BS211, runway 20 clear to land PIC: 0828:03.5 Clear to land
2
PIC: 0828:08.5 Can we see the Runway? We have set up everything, all done but we are not seeing the RunwayFO: NoPIC: That means the runway is to our right [“TERRAIN”] So, we have crossed the VOR, is not it, okay? (Bangla) [EGPWS “TERRAIN, TERRAIN, PULL UP, PULL UP”]. Let us turn right then, okay (Bangla)? [EGPWS “PULL UP, PULL UP, PULL UP]. So, we have gone past (Bangla) we will approach runway 02, 002 [EGPWS “TERRAIN, TERRAIN, TERRAIN, PULL UP, PULL UP, PULL UP”] FO: Okay (Scared voice) [EGPWS “PULL UP, PULL UP, PULL UP”]
3
KTM Tower: 0829:07.5 BS211, Kathmandu Tower, request your intention [EGPWS CONTINUOUS “PULL UP”] PIC: 0829:09.5 I would like to land on 02 KTM Tower: 0829:14.5 BS211, and confirm you’re VFR PIC: 0829:14.5 Affirmative KTM Tower: 0829:20.5 BS211, join the… (Garbled) … right downwind runway 20 PIC: 0829:21.5 Copied
4
PIC: 0829:33.5 We have crossed and that’s why we have not being able to make it (Bangla)FO: Sir, how have we missed the runway?PIC: No worry, no worry. We are going to VOR. [CONTINUOUS EGPWS WARNING]
KTM Tower: 0830:12.5 Join left … right downwind, runway 02 … BS211, I say again, do not proceed towards runway 20. Clear to hold your present position PIC: Copied Sir
PIC: So, our VOR is on to the left, is it not? Okay, Before Landing Checklist is done? FO: Yes everything donePIC: 0830:37.5 Tower, Ok we are making an orbit to the rightFO: Sir, this is runwayPIC: Have you seen the runway, where is it?
KTM Tower: 0831:00.5 Ok that’s good, but do not land. Traffic is on short final runway 02 PIC: 0831:12.5 We know that sir. Copied, let us know Sir once the aircraft lands
PIC: So I have done mistake, it happens isn’t it? It can happen since I was talking to you! Where is our VOR, gone left isn’t it, so let me make a turn 15 degrees to come back to the final. FO: Okay (More confident voice)
KTM Tower: BS211 runway ah… clear to land … runway is vacated. Either runway 02 or 20. Confirm you need vector? [“BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE”] PIC: 0832:07.5 Sir, we would like to land RW 20 [“BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE”] KTM Tower: 0832:09.5 Ok, runway 20 clear to land. Wind 270 degrees 6 knots PIC: 0832:10.5 260 copied clear to land
5
PIC: 0832:16.5 We have to now find the runway isn’t it? We are 4 miles now. Which side should the runway be? (Bangla) FO: 12 O’clock PIC: Where is the runway? [EGPWS “TERRAIN, TERRAIN PULL UP, PULL UP, PULL UP”. Unidentified voice in Nepali: 0832:31.5 02 gayo jasto cha khoi? (May have gone to 02, where is it?)
KTM Tower: 0832:38.5 BS211, confirm you have air… runway in sight? PIC: 0832:40.5 Negative Sir
PIC: Where is the runway? (Bangla)
KTM Tower: 0832:44.5 BS211, turn right and uh… you have runway… confirm you have a runway not in sight yet?
FO: 0832:44.5 Sir runway, runway. Sir 3 O’clock. [“BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE”]
PIC: 0832:47.5 Affirmative, we have runway in sight, request clear to land Sir KTM Tower: 0832:52.5 BS211 Cleared to land
PIC: 0832:55.5 Okay put the Flight Director Standby … keep the Heading Bug Zero … Okay, Landing Checklist Done?
Unidentified voice in Nepali: 0833:11.5 Jahaj dekhira Chaina? Dekhira chha Sir. Downwind ma chha. Tei ta, yo ta purai almaliyo. Pheri orbit garyo Sir. (Can you see the plane? Yes, he is downwind, it is completely confused. He is making another orbit, Sir.) PIC: 0833:23.5 Have you given 022 [RADIO ALTIMETER CALL “100, MINIMUMS”]
6
KTM Tower: 0833:26.5 BS211, that is not the runway… over… that’s not the runway. BS211, that is not the runway I say again. Take off clearance cancelled. [EGPWS “SINK RATE, PULL UP”] PIC: 0833:35.5 We have the runway in sight Sir. Are we cleared to land?
FO: 20 … Oh my God, Sir [“BANK ANGLE”]KTM Tower: BS 211, I say again turn … [“BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE, SINK RATE, SINK RATE”] [“50”] [“BANK ANGLE, BANK ANGLE”]
FO: 0834:04.5 Sir! Sir! (Very alarmed)
