Saturday marked the release of AAIB’s preliminary report on the devastating Baramati crash of January 28, snuffing out Ajit Pawar’s life alongside four others. Grounded in nascent evidence, it warns of potential updates ahead.
True to investigative mandates under global and Indian aviation laws, the goal is safety advancement, eschewing blame. The crew’s familiarity with Baramati—from previous landings—and VIP flight expertise at ungoverned strips was confirmed via company logs.
Onboard paramedic breath tests pre-flight registered negative for both, corroborated by recordings and paperwork. Visibility at the site, a mere 3,000 meters, starkly contrasted VFR requirements.
AAIB recommends vigilant policing of petite airports, certification overhauls, and pressing investments in landing and met systems. The investigation presses on, awaiting CVR decryption with US NTSB collaboration.
Beyond grief, the report ignites discourse on bridging infrastructure deficits in India’s aviation underbelly, pivotal for future prevention.