A trainer aircraft operated by private aviation company Redbird Flight Training Academy made a crash landing near the Baramati airstrip in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning after developing a technical snag, police said.
The trainee pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, escaped safely in the incident that took place near Gojubavi village adjacent to the Baramati airstrip around 8:50 am, officials said.
According to Pune Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill, eyewitnesses said the aircraft was flying at a relatively low altitude when it developed a technical malfunction.
“As per preliminary information received from eyewitnesses, the aircraft was flying at a comparatively low altitude when it developed a technical malfunction. During the crash landing, one side of the aircraft reportedly hit a light pole before it struck the ground,” Gill told PTI.
Police teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. “Necessary inquiry and further action are underway,” the official added.
Later, Redbird Flight Training Academy said in a statement that its Tecnam P2008JC aircraft bearing registration VT-RFY was involved in the incident near the Baramati airstrip while undertaking a solo flight.
“The situation is fully under control, and no injuries to the student pilot. Necessary actions are being undertaken in coordination with the relevant authorities. A detailed update will follow after further assessment and investigation,” the academy said.
The company has launched an investigation into the incident.
Aircraft operated by the same academy have previously been involved in accidents in the district. On October 19, 2023, a pilot was injured after a trainer aircraft crashed near Katfal village in Baramati taluka. Days later, on October 22, 2023, two persons were injured when another trainer aircraft belonging to the academy crashed near Gojubavi village.
Incidentally, on January 28 this year, a private charter plane belonging to VSR Ventures carrying then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed near the Baramati airstrip, killing all on board.
