AAIB flags low visibility in Ajit Pawar plane crash preliminary report: 'Tower manned by ground instructor'
The report also noted that the last runway recarpeting was carried out in March 2016 and thereafter no runway recarpeting was done which resulted into fading of all the runway markings and presence of loose gravels on the runway surface
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)'s preliminary report on the Baramati plane crash in which former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed, has confirmed that there were visibility issues during landing. The report released on Saturday, also revealed that on the day of the accident, January 28, 2026, the ATC tower was manned by a ground instructor from one of the Flight Training Organisations (FTO), which conducts flight training operations in the airspace.
The report also noted that the last runway recarpeting was carried out in March 2016 and thereafter no runway recarpeting was done which resulted into fading of all the runway markings and presence of loose gravels on the runway surface.
“On the day of accident, the tower was manned by a ground instructor of one of the FTO who was communicating with the aircraft to assist the landing. The crew of VT-SSK asked for visibility while approaching Baramati for which the tower replied as 3000 meters by looking at the visibility markers. Further, while giving the landing clearance, the tower informed winds as calm. Hence, the visibility reported at Baramati at the time of landing of aircraft was well below the minima required for VFR flight which is 5000 meters (5 Km), the AAIB report stated.
Ajit Pawar plane crash
AAIB's preliminary report comes days after Ajit Pawar, among five others were killed after the VT-SSK Learjet 45 jet crash landed in Baramati.
The 66-year-old was scheduled to attend four key public meetings that day.
The accident occurred on 28 January morning, when the NCP leader was flying to his hometown to address public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad polls.
What AAIB report revealed?
The AAIB report mentioned the following in its preliminary report:
— Both pilots including the first officer(FO) Sambhavi Pathak and the pilot-in-command (PIC) Sumit Kapur have flown to Baramati earlier and were aware of the topography of the airfield.
– Pathak and Kapur had prior experience of operating number of VIP flights and other flights to uncontrolled airfield (Including Baramati).
– The last runway re-carpeting was carried out in March 2016 and thereafter no runway re-carpeting was carried out which resulted into fading of all the runway markings and presence of loose gravels on the runway surface.
— Baramati airport is an uncontrolled airfield and has no navigational aids except windsocks. Two windsocks are installed at the aerodrome, both located towards side of runway 29.
About the Author
Sudeshna Ghoshal is a Content Producer for Livemint, where she decodes international affairs, US politics, besides covering general news. With nearly two years in the newsroom, she has covered a plethora of topics ranging from developments around trade deals, elections, nuances in geopolitical shifts to fine prints of Union Budgets. A fellow of the US Consulate General’s Business Communication cohort, she has also reported on airline launches, and national affairs. As a person who thinks out of the box, she aims to blend her creativity with how stories are told.<br><br> Born and raised in Kolkata, Sudeshna’s academic journey has taken her across multiple cities in India, and she is now based out of Delhi. She studied English Literature and holds a postgraduate diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She also has a keen interest in foreign languages and cultures of different nations.<br><br> When the news cycle slows down, you will find her experimenting with either music or food, or dabbling with paints. She posts at sudeshna02_ and can also be reached out on LinkedIn.