The tragic plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, claiming the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has left the nation in mourning and sparked intense scrutiny over aviation safety. Former Air India pilot and aviation expert Minoo Wadia has stepped forward with critical insights, urging the public to withhold judgment until a thorough investigation unfolds.
Speaking exclusively, Wadia detailed the sequence of events at Baramati airport. Visibility was suboptimal that morning, he noted. The pilot attempted an initial landing but aborted with a go-around procedure. Tragedy struck during the second approach when the aircraft plummeted.
‘Preliminary reports suggest the pilot declared an emergency,’ Wadia explained. ‘The big question is why? Engine failure? Even a single engine outage shouldn’t lead to disaster; skilled pilots can land safely on one.’
Rumors of landing gear malfunction have circulated, but Wadia dismissed them as unlikely culprits. ‘If undercarriage issues arose in flight, pilots would aim straight for the runway. This plane crashed far from it, pointing to other factors.’
He cautioned against early morning fog assumptions, clarifying the incident occurred around 8:45-9 AM with no dense fog, though photos indicated hazy conditions. ‘Visibility impacts operations, but it’s premature to blame it solely.’
Wadia vehemently opposed media speculation pinning fault on the pilot. ‘Pilots are rigorously trained. Rushing to blame without evidence echoes last year’s Ahmedabad Air India incident, where foreign agencies prematurely pointed fingers.’
Broadening the discourse, Wadia highlighted systemic flaws in India’s aviation safety framework. ‘We desperately need an independent safety board for impartial probes. DGCA requires more trained experts versed in global standards. Our system lags behind and demands urgent overhaul.’
For VIP flights, he asserted, safety protocols remain universal. ‘Whether it’s the Prime Minister or an ordinary citizen, aircraft safety is paramount.’ Possible causes range from dual engine failure to last-second runway blindness or technical glitches, but only evidence will tell.
As investigations proceed, Wadia’s call for patience and reform resonates, emphasizing professional inquiry over speculation in the wake of this heartbreaking loss.