Trainer Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing in Maharashtra’s Baramati, All Safe

PUNE, May 13: A trainer aircraft operated by a private aviation academy made an emergency landing near the Baramati airstrip in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning after reportedly suffering a technical malfunction, police officials said.
The trainee pilot, who was alone inside the aircraft during the flight, escaped without injuries following the incident that occurred near Gojubavi village around 8.50 am.
Officials said the aircraft belonged to the Redbird Flight Training Academy, which conducts pilot training operations in the Baramati region. The academy has initiated an internal inquiry while coordinating with aviation authorities regarding the incident.
According to preliminary information shared by Pune Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill, eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft was flying at a relatively low altitude before encountering a technical issue mid-air.
“During the emergency landing attempt, one side of the aircraft is believed to have struck a light pole before the plane touched the ground,” the official said.
Police teams and emergency personnel immediately reached the site after receiving information about the incident. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or major injuries were reported.
In an official statement issued later, the Redbird Flight Training Academy identified the aircraft as a Tecnam P2008JC bearing registration number VT-RFY. The academy stated that the aircraft was undertaking a solo training sortie at the time of the occurrence.
“The situation is fully under control and the cadet pilot is safe. Necessary procedures are being carried out in coordination with the concerned authorities,” the statement said, adding that a detailed investigation would determine the exact cause behind the malfunction.
The latest incident has once again drawn attention to aviation safety around the Baramati airstrip area, where multiple training aircraft accidents have been reported in recent years.
In October 2023, a pilot was injured after another trainer aircraft belonging to the same academy crashed near Katfal village in Baramati taluka. Just days later, two persons sustained injuries when a separate training aircraft went down near Gojubavi village.
The region had also witnessed a major aviation tragedy earlier this year. On January 28, a private charter aircraft operated by VSR Ventures crashed near the Baramati airstrip, resulting in the deaths of all five persons onboard, including then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Aviation experts said training flights are generally conducted under controlled operational procedures, but technical failures, weather conditions and pilot response remain critical factors in flight safety.
Authorities are expected to examine maintenance records, technical systems and flight data related to Wednesday’s incident as part of the inquiry process.