Kamal Ghorui
Mumbai: A Redbird Aviation training aircraft was involved in an incident near Baramati airport in Maharashtra on Tuesday during a solo training sortie, though the cadet pilot escaped unhurt, the flying training organisation said.The aircraft, a Tecnam P2008JC bearing registration VT-RFY, was involved in the occurrence at Gojubavi in the vicinity of Baramati airport at around 9 am.“As per the preliminary information received, the aircraft was undertaking a solo flight at the time of the occurrence. The cadet pilot is reported to be safe,” according to a statement issued by Redbird. “The situation is fully under control, and no injuries to the student pilot. Necessary actions are being undertaken in coordination with the relevant authorities. A detailed update will follow after further assessment and investigation,” it added.Redbird Aviation has witnessed a series of training aircraft accidents and incidents over the past few years amid the rapid expansion of India’s pilot training sector. In 2023, a training aircraft operated by the FTO crash-landed near Baramati after developing a technical problem during a sortie, while another aircraft was involved in a runway excursion during landing. In separate incidents over the years, trainee pilots operating Redbird aircraft have carried out precautionary or forced landings in fields outside the airport perimeter following engine-related or operational issues. Most of the incidents did not lead to serious injuries, though several aircraft sustained substantial damage and triggered investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The recurring occurrences had also drawn attention to the pressures faced by flying training organisations amid rising demand for commercial pilot training, high aircraft utilisation and challenging weather conditions during training operations.
