Mumbai: The tragic plane crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has raised widespread grief and questions across the country. Former Air India pilot and aviation expert Meenu Wadia has shared important insights regarding the accident and urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions without complete investigations and solid evidence.
Wadia explained that the crash occurred under conditions where visibility was not fully clear. According to him, the pilot attempted the first landing but had to perform a ‘go-around’, meaning the plane took off again to attempt a second landing. It was during this subsequent landing attempt that the aircraft crashed.
He added, “Initial information suggests the pilot declared an emergency. The key question is why the emergency was declared. Was there an engine failure? Even if one engine had failed, such a crash would not necessarily occur, as pilots are trained to land safely on a single engine.”
Some reports have mentioned issues with the aircraft’s undercarriage or landing gear. Wadia responded by saying that if there had been a problem with the landing gear, the plane should not have crashed. “If the undercarriage was faulty, the pilot would have tried to land on the runway. However, the plane crashed well before reaching the runway, indicating other possible reasons for the accident,” he said.
He emphasised that at this stage, only assumptions can be made. The true cause will emerge only after a thorough investigation with concrete evidence.
Referring to a panel report, it was suggested that smoke in the morning might have reduced visibility, adding that Ajit Pawar often flew early in the day. Wadia clarified, “There was no fog in Baramati that morning, and the time was around 8:45 to 9 am. While the pictures show less than ideal visibility, it is unlikely that this alone caused the crash.”
He stressed that although visibility affects flying and landing, it should not be considered the sole reason for the accident.
Wadia strongly objected to media reports blaming pilot error for the crash. “I do not agree with blaming the pilot without evidence. Pilots are well-trained and capable of flying and landing aircraft safely,” he said.
He recalled the Air India crash in Ahmedabad last year, where foreign agencies and media quickly held the pilot responsible. “Please avoid rushing to judgment. Assigning blame without firm proof is wrong,” he added.
Expressing concern about India’s aviation safety system, Wadia said the country urgently needs an independent safety board to conduct impartial and professional investigations into aircraft accidents.
“I have been urging the government for years to establish an independent safety board. Progress has been limited. Our safety system is not something to be proud of and needs serious improvement,” he stated.
Wadia also pointed out that India’s safety systems have not been updated adequately. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires more skilled and trained personnel familiar with international accident investigation procedures.
When asked about special safety protocols for flights carrying VIPs or top leaders, he clarified, “Whether it is the Prime Minister or an ordinary citizen, flight safety is paramount. It does not matter who is on board; safety is always the top priority.”
Drawing on his experience, Wadia said multiple factors could cause plane crashes, such as engine failure, runway visibility issues, or other technical problems. However, these remain possibilities until confirmed by investigation.
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