Baramati: Nine aircraft incidents raise serious safety concerns over training

The latest trainee aircraft incident near Gojubavi village involved a Redbird Flight Training Academy aircraft allegedly striking an electric pole while landing. The pilot was alone and escaped unhurt. Officials described it as not a major crash, but the incident renewed concerns over training safety at Baramati.

A Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures crashed while flying from Mumbai to Baramati, killing all five people onboard, including Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Preliminary findings pointed to poor visibility and dense fog conditions before the crash.

A training aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Centre made a crash landing near Baramati airport after the pilot detected tyre damage while returning from a sortie. During touchdown, the aircraft’s front wheel detached, causing it to veer off the taxiway. No injuries were reported.

Another Redbird training aircraft developed engine trouble at around 2,500 feet, forcing an emergency landing. The aircraft was damaged, but both occupants escaped unharmed.

Two separate incidents involving Redbird aircraft occurred within three days in October 2023. On October 19, a Tecnam P2008JC training aircraft crashed outside the airport premises shortly after take-off following a reported engine power failure at low altitude.

A Cessna 152 aircraft belonging to Carver Aviation made a forced landing in an agricultural field near Kadbanwadi village in Indapur taluka during a solo training sortie. The pilot suffered minor injuries. Investigation findings cited failure to follow prescribed “lost procedures” and inadequate fuel monitoring.

A Tecnam P2008JC operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy was involved in an accident during a solo circuit-and-landing sortie at Baramati airfield. The pilot escaped safely, but the aircraft was severely damaged. The probe pointed to improper handling after touchdown.

A Cessna 172S operated by Carver Aviation conducting a solo cross-country training flight from Baramati to Akkalkot made an emergency landing after an engine failure and crashed after its wing struck a tree. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Investigators attributed the accident to fuel exhaustion caused by an incomplete pre-flight inspection.

A Cessna 172R operated by Carver Aviation met an accident during landing at Baramati airfield. The trainee pilot survived without injuries, but the aircraft sustained major damage. Investigators concluded that excessive rudder correction in crosswind conditions contributed to the mishap.