New Delhi: The tragic plane crash in Maharashtra’s Baramati, which claimed the lives of five people including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of uncontrolled airfields used for VIP flights and private aviation. Experts and past accident reports point to systemic gaps in navigational and safety infrastructure at such airstrips.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), since its inception in 2012, has documented at least nine serious accidents near or at uncontrolled airfields, mostly involving training flights operated by Flying Training Organisations (FTOs). While each incident had specific causes, recurring issues include the absence of air traffic control (ATC) services, lack of on-site weather assessment, inadequate surveillance, and missing basic navigational aids.
Baramati airport, classified as Class G, exemplifies these concerns. The airfield lacks a full-time ATC, fire-fighting equipment, and standard navigational systems. Currently, ATC functions are handled by instructors and pilots from Redbird Aviation and Carver Aviation, the two private flying schools operating there, rather than an independent unit. Pilots note that India has around 150 uncontrolled airfields, raising the question of whether such airstrips are suitable for VIP movements without essential safety upgrades.
Deputy CM Pawar had previously requested improvements, including the installation of a precision approach path indicator (PAPI), night-landing aids, and regular ATC services, emphasizing the risks posed by limited infrastructure.
Historical AAIB reports illustrate these vulnerabilities. A January 2023 night training flight near Rewa aerodrome ended in a fatal crash due to poor visibility, lack of dedicated meteorological support, and limited navigational aids. Similarly, a 2022 FTO flight near Aligarh aerodrome crashed on farmland, with investigators highlighting ambiguities in civil aviation rules regarding night flying at uncontrolled airfields. Other incidents across Odisha, Karnataka, and Jharkhand have underscored recurring deficiencies such as absence of CCTVs, VHF radio guidance, windsocks, or approach aids.
Experts argue that these incidents collectively signal an urgent need to re-evaluate which airfields are deemed fit for training or VIP flights, and to upgrade infrastructure at airstrips with ongoing private or government traffic. “Lessons should be drawn from past crashes, and recommendations should be implemented immediately to ensure airstrip safety beyond routine FTO operations,” said a private-sector pilot familiar with such airfields.
The Baramati tragedy thus serves as a stark reminder that uncontrolled airfields, often lacking fundamental safety systems, pose significant risks, especially when hosting VIP movements. Calls for reforms now include installing standard navigational aids, full-time ATC, emergency response capabilities, and clear regulatory oversight to prevent further loss of life.