Baramati forced landing: Trainer aircraft down near Pune airstrip after technical snag

A trainer aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy made a forced landing near Baramati airstrip in Pune district on Wednesday morning. Police said the aircraft developed a technical snag during a solo flight. Officials said the trainee pilot, who was alone in the aircraft, was not injured. The aircraft suffered damage after landing near Gojubavi village.

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The incident happened at 8.50 am near Gojubavi, close to the Baramati airstrip, a police official said. Pune Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill said eyewitnesses reported the aircraft was flying at a low height. Sandip Singh Gill said it then developed a technical fault. During landing, one side reportedly struck an electricity pole.

DGCA investigation into Baramati crash landing

Aviation regulator DGCA issued a late evening statement about the event. It said, "On May 13, M/s Red Bird Aviation, a Flight Training Organisation FTO Tecnam 2008JC Aircraft VT-RFY while engaged in a solo flying made forced landing at a place Gojubovi in the vicinity of Baramati Airport,.\" DGCA said it has started an investigation.

DGCA said the aircraft was flown by a student pilot. The regulator said the first circuit and landing were completed without issues. During the second circuit, the pilot noticed a technical glitch. DGCA said the student pilot then landed in an open field. DGCA said the pilot was safe, but the aircraft was damaged.

Redbird Flight Training Academy details on Baramati crash landing

Redbird Flight Training Academy said the aircraft was a Tecnam P2008JC with registration VT-RFY. The academy said the aircraft was on a solo flight. The company said the trainee pilot did not suffer injuries. It said necessary actions were being taken with relevant authorities. The company also said it had begun its own investigation.

Company sources said the aircraft had damage to several parts. The sources said the left wing tip was affected. They said the nose landing gear, prop, and prop spinner were also damaged. DGCA sources separately said officials were sent to the site for checks. They said the Redbird Tecnam 2008JC aircraft VT-RFY was on solo local flying.

Baramati crash landing history and earlier incidents

Officials said trainer aircraft from the same academy have been involved in past accidents in the district. On October 19, 2023, a pilot was injured when a trainer aircraft crashed near Katfal village in Baramati taluka. On October 22, 2023, two persons were injured when another trainer aircraft crashed near Gojubavi village.

In a separate earlier case, a private chartered plane from VSR Ventures crashed near the Baramati airstrip on January 28. The aircraft was carrying then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others. All persons on board were killed, officials said. Police said inquiries are continuing into Wednesday’s crash landing near Gojubavi.

With inputs from PTI