Training aircraft skids off Baramati runway: Govt explains what happened

An aviation body has launched an official probe into a runway excursion incident involving a training aircraft at Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra, India. The accident, which occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, involved a Cessna C172 aircraft registered as VT-SEX, operated by Academy of Carver Aviation, a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO). According to the civil aviation ministry, the incident unfolded during a scheduled training exercise focused on Circuit and Landing Emergencies (CL Emergencies). The aircraft, commanded by flight instructor Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode and accompanied by trainee Abhijeet Jundre, began its taxiing operation at approximately 12:09 pm. The exercise commenced with the aircraft entering the runway via Link Bravo and aligning at the threshold of Runway 29. A rejected take-off maneuver was conducted, followed by a second alignment at the threshold of Runway 11 and another rejected take-off exercise. During this sequence, the aircraft failed to halt within the paved runway surface and veered off the extended paved area beyond the threshold of Runway 29 toward the right side, resulting in a runway excursion. Despite the incident, all individuals aboard, Captain Doifode and trainee Jundre, were unharmed. The government confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities. However, the aircraft sustained visible damage to the propeller, engine cowling, and nose landing gear. A more detailed evaluation of these damages will be conducted by the relevant authorities. Local residents and officials gathered around the wreckage located near the airstrip at Baramati Airport, situated in Pune district. The scene was marked by a mix of concern and curiosity, as onlookers observed the aftermath of the incident. The DGCA Air Safety team is currently en route to the location to initiate a preliminary investigation aimed at determining the circumstances and contributing factors behind the incident. Baramati Airfield serves as a key training ground for aspiring pilots, hosting several FTOs, including Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd. (ACAPL) and Redbird Flight Training Academy. These institutions play a crucial role in pilot education and training, offering a range of exercises designed to simulate real-world scenarios. The recent incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and continuous monitoring during training sessions. The ministry's statement emphasized that the incident does not represent a systemic failure but rather an isolated occurrence requiring thorough examination. The DGCA Air Safety team is expected to provide further insights into the causes of the runway excursion once their investigation concludes. Until then, the focus remains on ensuring that such incidents do not recur and that the safety standards upheld by FTOs remain uncompromised. As the investigation progresses, attention will likely shift toward assessing the effectiveness of current training procedures and whether additional measures are necessary to prevent similar occurrences. The outcome of this probe could have implications for future training practices at Baramati Airfield and other aviation training hubs across the country. For now, the immediate priority is to ensure the continued safety of both instructors and trainees engaged in aerial training activities.