Baramati: A trainer aircraft crash landed at Baramati Airport on Sunday afternoon, once again putting the airport’s safety arrangements under scrutiny. The incident took place at around 12:35 pm on August 9. No casualties were reported and the aircraft suffered only minor damage.
The exact reason behind the crash landing is not known yet. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and determine whether a technical problem or another factor led to the aircraft coming down. The incident is significant because it is the second trainer aircraft mishap reported at Baramati since the beginning of the year.
On May 13, another trainer aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy made a hard landing near Gojubavi village, close to the Baramati airfield. The trainee pilot was the only person on board and escaped safely. Initial reports suggested that the aircraft had developed a technical problem and hit an electric pole during the landing.
Sunday’s incident comes just months after the far more serious January 28 aircraft crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Pawar was travelling in a Learjet 45 that crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport. All five people on board died.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) later flagged several safety concerns in its preliminary findings, including visibility below the required level at the time of the crash, faded runway markings and loose gravel on the runway. The final investigation report is expected by January 2027.
Baramati Airport has also witnessed several aircraft accidents and emergency landings over the years, particularly involving training aircraft. The repeated incidents have kept the airfield under scrutiny.
Infrastructure upgrades have been planned for the airport, including an independent air traffic control tower, runway expansion, night operation facilities, a dedicated fire station and a security wall.
For now, Sunday’s crash landing has ended without any reported injuries. But coming so soon after the May incident and the January tragedy, it is likely to bring renewed attention to the safety of aircraft operations at Baramati Airport.
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