Union Minister Announces Time-Bound Investigation Into Baramati Plane Crash
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu declared on Thursday that the investigation into the tragic Baramati plane crash, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, will follow a strict, time-bound, and timeline-based approach. The minister made this announcement while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Wings India 2026 event in Hyderabad.
Zero Tolerance on Air Safety and Investigation Progress
Reiterating the Central government's "zero tolerance" stance on air safety issues, Naidu emphasized that India is widely regarded as one of the safer countries globally due to its robust aviation safety protocols. He confirmed that teams from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have already recovered the aircraft's black box from the crash site, and the probe is actively underway.
Naidu stated, "The focus is on completing the investigation report expeditiously to ensure transparency and accountability." He also mentioned that the Maharashtra government had formally written to the Centre regarding the investigation, to which the civil aviation ministry responded by affirming that the probe was in progress.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar crashed on Wednesday morning near the Baramati airport during its descent, approximately 200 meters from the edge of a tabletop runway. All five individuals on board, including Pawar, lost their lives in the devastating accident.
Addressing Safety Concerns and Infrastructure
In response to questions about reports indicating a lack of personnel to extinguish the fire after the crash, Naidu clarified that the location is an airstrip primarily utilized by flying training organizations. He pointed out that the strip operates under a Non-Scheduled Operator's Permit (NSOP), which means it is not intended for commercial aviation purposes.
Naidu explained, "The requirements and safety standards differ significantly when an airstrip is licensed as a commercial airport. In such cases, the government ensures that all mandated facilities, including firefighting resources, are in place." He further added that Flight Time Limitation (FTL) norms are already being implemented across the aviation sector to enhance safety measures.
Commitment to Aviation Safety
The Union Minister's statements underscore the government's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in India's aviation industry. By advocating for a structured and timely investigation, authorities aim to prevent similar incidents in the future and reinforce public confidence in air travel safety protocols.
