AAIB Preliminary Report Cites Low Visibility and Safety Gaps in Ajit Pawar Baramati Plane Crash

The preliminary Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report on the January 28 Baramati plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others highlights that the Learjet 45 attempted to land in visibility of 3,000 metres, below the 5,000-metre minimum required under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for uncontrolled airfields. Baramati lacks meteorological facilities and navigational aids, with visibility estimated by a ground instructor using landmarks. The aircraft executed a go-around on the first approach but was cleared to land on the second, crashing after hitting trees near the runway. The AAIB recommended stricter adherence to VFR procedures and infrastructure improvements at such airfields.