Trainee aircraft crashes in Baramati, pilot safe; second incident since Ajit Pawar's fatal accident
PTC News Desk: A trainer aircraft operated by a private company crash-landed at Baramati airport in Pune on Sunday afternoon. The incident happened around seven months after former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in a plane crash near the same airport.
The latest accident took place at around 12:35 pm inside the airport complex, close to the runway. No one was injured, and the aircraft suffered only minor damage.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
In January, Ajit Pawar and four others were killed when their Learjet 45 crashed near Baramati airport.
The VSR Ventures-owned aircraft was carrying the 66-year-old NCP leader, his personal security officer, an attendant and two pilots — captain Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak. The plane crashed during its second attempt to land on January 28.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) later said visibility at the time was below the required level. Its preliminary report also pointed to faded runway markings and loose gravel on the runway.
The AAIB recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ensure proper safety standards at uncontrolled airports.
The final report on the crash is expected to be submitted by January next year.
Another Trainer Aircraft Crash in May
This was not the first trainer aircraft accident at Baramati this year. Another aircraft operated by a private company crash-landed there on May 13.
The trainee pilot, who was the only person on board, escaped safely. The aircraft crashed near Gojubavi village, close to the Baramati airstrip. No serious injuries were reported in that incident.
- With inputs from agencies
