- A trainer aircraft crash landed at Baramati airport with no casualties reported
- The aircraft sustained minor damage and the crash occurred near the runway at 12:35 PM
- A similar crash in Baramati had killed the then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others
A trainer aircraft operated by a private company crash landed at Baramati airport in Pune this afternoon, about seven months after the then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in a similar accident in the city.
The crash took place around 12:35 PM within the airport complex, just a short distance from the runway. The two pilots onboard were not injured, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
"An aircraft, VT-SEX, was involved in a runway excursion incident at Baramati Airfield during a training exercise, with Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode and Cadet Abhijeet Jundre on board. No injuries have been reported," senior police officer Sandeep Singh Gill said.
"The aircraft initially entered the runway through Link Bravo, lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, and carried out a rejected take-off. Thereafter, the aircraft was lined up at the threshold of Runway 11, where another rejected take-off was carried out. During the course of this exercise, the aircraft could not be brought to a complete stop on the runway and continued beyond the threshold of Runway 29. Subsequently, it veered off the extended paved surface to the right side beyond the Runway 29 threshold," he said.
In January, Pawar was killed along with four others after their Learjet 45 plane crashed near Baramati airport. The VSR Ventures-owned plane carrying the 66-year-old NCP leader, his personal security officer and attendant, as well as two cockpit crew -- pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak -- had crashed during its second landing attempt on January 28.
Charred remains lie at the spot of the plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar on January 29
Photo Credit: PTI
The aircraft accident probe agency, the AAIB, said the visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report on the plane crash, also flagged the fading marks on the runway and presence of loose gravel on the runway surface at Baramati.
It also recommended the regulator, the DGCA, to ensure that safety standards be maintained at uncontrolled airfields.
The AAIB is expected to submit its final report by January next year.
Trainer Aircraft Crashed In Baramati In May
Another trainer aircraft of a private company had crashed at Baramati on May 13. No serious injuries were reported, and the trainee pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, escaped safely following the accident near Gojubavi village adjacent to the Baramati airstrip area.
Security officials conduct a rescue operation after a trainer aircraft operated by a private company crash-lands at Baramati
Photo Credit: PTI
A part of the aircraft had hit an electric pole just before landing.
"As per preliminary information received from witnesses, the aircraft was flying at a comparatively low altitude when it developed a technical malfunction. During the crash landing, one side of the aircraft reportedly hit an electric pole before it struck the ground," an officer had said.
Baramati Airport To Be Upgraded
Meanwhile, the Baramati Airport is set for an upgrade. An independent air traffic control (ATC) tower is planned for effective flight guidance and management.
It will also have an expanded runway.
Special systems will be installed to ensure safe aircraft take-offs and landings during the night.
A dedicated fire station and a robust security wall will also be constructed to handle emergency situations.
(With inputs from Deva Rakhunde)
