Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said Air Traffic Control (ATC) had asked the pilot about runway visibility twice before the aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy
Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati in Pune district.
Speaking about the incident to the media, Naidu said preliminary information showed that visibility was poor at the time of landing, around 8.48 am.
“Before landing, ATC asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, and he confirmed it was not. After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing,” he said.
The Union Minister further said the aircraft then carried out a go-around. When it returned for a second landing attempt, the pilot was again asked about runway visibility and this time confirmed that the runway was in sight. “After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred,” he noted.
The minister said a transparent and accountable investigation would be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the crash.
ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crew Couldn’t See Runway On First Attempt, Fell Silent After Landing Clearance
Pawar, 66, and four others were killed after the chartered aircraft they were travelling in crashed near Baramati, his hometown, on Wednesday morning. The flight was operating from Mumbai to Baramati.
Naidu’s comments came as the Ministry of Civil Aviation released a detailed, minute-by-minute account of the events leading to the crash at Baramati airport. In its statement, the ministry said Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, where traffic information is provided by instructors or pilots from flying training organisations, instead of a full-fledged ATC unit.
Soon after the accident, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) took over the investigation, and its Director General was on the way to the crash site. The ministry said more details would be shared as the probe progressed.
Apart from Pawar, those killed included two of his staff members, a personal security officer, an attendant and two crew members. Pawar was travelling to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. His death has brought an abrupt end to a political career spanning over three decades.
ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar’s Death: Sunetra Pawar, Supriya Sule Break Down; Sharad Pawar Reaches Baramati
