Baramati, Maharashtra - A training aircraft from the Redbird Flight Training Academy made an unscheduled landing near the Baramati airstrip on May 13, 2026, around 8:50 AM. The sole occupant, a trainee pilot, reportedly walked away from the incident without serious injury.
The incident near Gojubavi village, adjacent to the airstrip, involved a crash landing where a part of the aircraft struck an electric pole before hitting the ground. Police and emergency services were dispatched to the scene immediately following the report.
The aircraft, identified as a two-seater trainer, was reportedly flying at a low altitude when it encountered a "technical malfunction," according to preliminary accounts from eyewitnesses. Poor visibility and fog were also cited as potential contributing factors by airport officials. The exact cause of the crash, however, remains under investigation.
This latest event casts a shadow over aviation safety in the region, particularly given the proximity to a previous, fatal incident. Months prior, on January 28, 2026, a Learjet 45 carrying prominent politician Ajit Pawar and four others, crashed near the same Baramati runway, resulting in all on board being killed. That incident involved a Learjet 45 registered as VT-SSK, though the specific registration of the current training aircraft has not been widely disclosed.
Read More: Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet Ban Hot Drinks and Own Alcohol on Flights
The Redbird Flight Training Academy has faced scrutiny before, with reports indicating that aircraft from the same company have been involved in prior accidents within the district. The repeated occurrences are likely to prompt a closer examination of operational procedures and aircraft maintenance within the academy.
