Baramati Plane Crash: Experts Highlight ILS Deficiency as Potential Contributing Factor
The tragic plane crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday might have been preventable if the airport runway had been equipped with an instrument landing system (ILS), according to aviation specialists. These experts emphasized that such guidance systems are crucial for assisting pilots during periods of marginal visibility, which were reported at the time of the accident.
Critical Need for Evidence Preservation at Crash Site
Aviation professionals have strongly warned against any tampering with evidence at the crash location, stressing that preserving all materials is essential for the ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). They clarified that the definitive cause of this devastating incident can only be established after a thorough probe has been completed.
Retired Pilot Analysis: Runway Adequacy Versus Guidance Systems
Retired pilot Ehsan Khalid noted that while Baramati airport features a small-field runway that is sufficiently adequate for aircraft like the Learjet 45 involved in the crash, the absence of ILS or similar instrument-based guidance systems could have played a significant role. "If the runway had been equipped with ILS or similar systems to guide the pilot during marginal visibility conditions, this crash could have been avoided," Khalid explained to news agency PTI.
He described the visibility at the time as "marginal"—neither optimal enough for pure visual flight nor poor enough to necessitate diversion. According to available information, the aircraft attempted to land but aborted its first approach, executing a 'go-around' maneuver. "It appears the first approach was a missed approach, and the aircraft was on its second approach when the accident occurred," Khalid stated.
Investigation Reliance on Cockpit Recorders and Technical Documentation
With no survivors from the crash, investigators will depend heavily on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), which will be recovered from the wreckage for detailed forensic analysis. Khalid mentioned that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would have already secured all technical documents related to the aircraft to examine any potential deficiencies at dispatch time, noting that technical clearances are particularly critical for VIP flights.
Khalid also spoke about pilot Sumit Kapoor, who commanded the Learjet 45 with over 15,000 flying hours, describing him as a "gentle soul" while cautioning against premature speculation. "I do not know what the conditions were in the cockpit, or whether weather combined with a technical fault aggravated the situation," he added.
Additional Expert Calls for Site Security and Investigation Patience
Another aviation expert, Sanjay Lazar, urged authorities to immediately sanitize and cordon off the crash site to prevent disturbance of crucial evidence. "From the visuals, people have surrounded the debris. This is not ideal. Crucial evidence must not be disturbed during the AAIB probe," he emphasized.
Lazar described Baramati airport as well-equipped and the Learjet 45 as an "extremely safe" aircraft, refusing to speculate on the cause while stating that investigators would need to decode the black box to determine what went wrong. He noted that pilots assigned to fly chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, and cabinet ministers are highly qualified, adding, "It was a bright sunny day, and there is really no clear reason at this stage to understand why this happened."
Background on Baramati Airstrip Development and Operational Norms
The Baramati airstrip was taken over by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) in July last year, with sources indicating that Ajit Pawar himself was keen on developing it into a full-fledged airport. He had recently held meetings with MADC to finalize development plans. Previously under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the airstrip was transferred to MADC due to its expertise in aviation infrastructure.
Unlike commercial airports, typical airstrips do not feature air traffic control (ATC) towers, meaning landings and take-offs rely entirely on pilot skill under visual flight rules (VFR). According to aviation norms, aircraft should not attempt to land if visibility falls below five kilometers, highlighting the challenges faced in such conditions without advanced guidance systems.
