Kamal Ghorui
MUMBAI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday released its preliminary report into the fatal Learjet 45XR crash at Baramati on January 28, highlighting low visibility, lack of basic meteorological facilities and operational gaps at the uncontrolled airfield. All five persons on board were killed, among them was the then Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The aircraft, VT-SSK, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., was on a non-scheduled passenger flight from Mumbai to Baramati. The accident occurred at about 0846 IST during landing. The jet carried two pilots, one cabin attendant and two passengers.The report states that Baramati airfield does not have a MET facility. Weather parameters such as wind, temperature and QNH are passed from a temporary tower using available instruments, while visibility is assessed through visual markers identified by flying training organisations. On the morning of the accident, the tower assessed visibility at about 3,000 metres, below the 5 km minimum required for VFR operations. METAR data from Pune showed visibility between 2,000 and 2,500 metres during the relevant window.The first approach to runway 11 resulted in a go-around. During the second approach, the crew reported the field in sight and was cleared to land. The aircraft later transmitted “Oh st… Oh st…” before crash-landing to the left of runway 11 abeam the threshold. It struck trees and terrain about 50 metres from the runway edge and was engulfed in fire. The cockpit and cabin were destroyed.The solid-state flight data recorder has been downloaded. The cockpit voice recorder, which sustained thermal damage, will be analysed with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board and the manufacturer.In its interim safety recommendations, the AAIB said:“It is recommended that DGCA may issue necessary directions to all operators operating VFR flights to uncontrolled airfields to strictly adhere to the laid down standard operating procedures. Further, necessary directions may also be issued to all the aerodrome operators/organisations responsible for handling the aerodrome services at the uncontrolled airfields to ensure that the flying operations (including Non-scheduled/Private/Charter operations) in the airfield is allowed only when the prevailing MET conditions are within the criteria laid down in the relevant DGCA regulations.”“It is recommended that DGCA may issue specific directions to all the stakeholders responsible to manage and maintain the uncontrolled airfields to ensure that required safety standards are maintained at the airport for safe aircraft operations. Compliance of the same may be checked during audit/surveillance.”“It is recommended that DGCA may take necessary measures to enhance the landing aids along with basic MET facility at these airports to cater for large number of Non-scheduled/chartered flights (including VIP flights) being carried out at these airports apart from flying training activities.”“It is recommended that DGCA may check the feasibility of licensing these aerodromes for conduct of safe and regulated flying operations.”The investigation is in progress.
