In Shorts
- AAIB preliminary report indicates landing was attempted below mandated visibility levels at Baramati.
- Investigators highlight gaps in airport infrastructure and lack of navigational aids at the uncontrolled airfield.
- Bureau recommends stricter Visual Flight Rules compliance and facility enhancements to DGCA.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its initial probe findings into the January 28 Learjet 45XR crash near Baramati that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with four others on board. Authorities have pointed to significantly low visibility and critical safety gaps at the Baramati airfield as key factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
According to the provisional report, visibility at the time of the landing attempt was estimated at around 3 kilometres, well below the minimum 5-kilometre requirement stipulated for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations at uncontrolled airports like Baramati. The airfield does not have a dedicated meteorological observation system and relies on rudimentary visual estimates communicated from personnel on the ground.
Investigators noted that Baramati Airport lacks basic navigational aids beyond windsocks and does not have an instrument landing system. The existing windsocks themselves were not positioned in areas relevant to the crash approach. In addition, faded runway markings, loose surface gravel, and inadequate perimeter fencing were among operational shortcomings identified by the bureau.
The AAIB has recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issue clear directions enforcing compliance with VFR criteria for flights to uncontrolled airstrips and upgrade aerodrome infrastructure to better support non-scheduled and charter operations. The bureau has also sought technical assistance from international partners to analyse critical flight recorder data.
Testimonies and data recovered from the site are being examined as part of the ongoing inquiry, and the aircraft wreckage has been secured for detailed forensic work. Authorities remain cautious as they analyse cockpit voice recordings and flight parameters to map the final moments before the aircraft descended and impacted the terrain short of the runway.
The incident has prompted wider discussions on aviation safety at smaller airfields used frequently for VIP, private, and charter flights, exposing gaps in weather reporting and airfield support services during critical phases of flight.
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