In a significant update, the AAIB on Saturday submitted its preliminary report on the January 28 Baramati aviation disaster, where Ajit Pawar and four companions perished. The findings, drawn from initial facts and evidence, are temporary and subject to revision.
Conforming to international standards, the inquiry’s focus remains on aviation safety enhancements rather than culpability. The pilots, seasoned in VIP charters and Baramati’s layout from prior visits, underwent mandatory pre-flight checks.
Paramedic-administered breath tests yielded negative results, backed by video and documentation. Yet, the airfield’s visibility of 3,000 meters fell short of VFR minima by 2,000 meters, raising critical questions.
Among safety recommendations, AAIB urges rigorous monitoring of minor airstrips, re-evaluation of certifications, and immediate improvements in landing aids and meteorological setups. Cockpit voice recorder analysis, with NTSB assistance, is forthcoming.
As families mourn and the nation reflects, this report serves as a wake-up call for bolstering India’s general aviation safety protocols.