Pune, 09 August (H.S.): A trainer aircraft operated by a private aviation company veered off the runway during a training exercise at Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Sunday. The two pilots on board escaped unhurt, and no casualties were reported.

The aircraft, bearing registration VT-SEX, was involved in a runway excursion at around 12:30 pm during the training exercise. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill identified those on board as Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode and cadet Abhijeet Jundre. Both escaped without injuries.

According to police, the aircraft initially entered the runway through Link Bravo and lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, where a rejected take-off was carried out. It was subsequently positioned at the threshold of Runway 11 for another rejected take-off exercise.

During the exercise, the aircraft could not be brought to a complete stop on the runway and continued beyond the Runway 29 threshold. It subsequently veered off the extended paved surface to the right.

The incident comes months after a fatal aircraft accident at Baramati in January, when a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures crashed near the airfield, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

Another trainer aircraft accident was reported near Baramati in May. The trainee pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped safely after the aircraft crash-landed near Gojubavi village, adjacent to the Baramati airstrip.

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s runway excursion as part of standard aviation safety procedures.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar