A preliminary report into the Learjet crash at Baramati Airport has flagged poor visibility as well as safety concerns at the airfield, while stopping short of assigning a final cause.
In its preliminary report, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the aircraft was attempting to land under visual flight rules (VFR) — which require pilots to maintain visual reference with the runway — in reported visibility of 3 km.
However, the prescribed minimum visibility for VFR operations is 5 km.
Accordingly, the crash resulted in the deaths of all five on board, including two pilots, a cabin attendant, and two passengers — among them Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The preliminary report stated that the jet first approached Runway 11 and then initiated a go-around.
In technical parlance, a go-around means the pilot discontinues the landing approach and climbs away to attempt another landing.
Besides, the report cited that during the second approach, the crew reported the runway in sight and were cleared to land.
Meanwhile, seconds later, the report stated that a distress transmission was heard before the aircraft crashed approximately 50 metres to the left of Runway 11 near the threshold, striking trees and impacting terrain lower than the runway surface.
Notably, one of the key findings of the preliminary report relates to infrastructure and operational limitations at Baramati, which is an uncontrolled airfield without a certified meteorological facility or instrument landing systems.
Furthermore, the air traffic function is handled from temporary towers operated by flying training organisations.
Additionally, investigators noted faded runway markings, loose gravel on the runway surface, absence of a windsock on the Runway 11 side, lack of a perimeter boundary wall, and the absence of an in-house aircraft rescue and firefighting unit.
On the other hand, the aircraft and crew records reviewed by investigators so far indicated that the jet was airworthy, with valid certificates and no minimum equipment list (MEL) items pending.
The pilots were appropriately licensed and medically fit, and pre-flight breath analyser tests were negative.
In addition, the report mentioned that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data has been successfully downloaded and is under analysis.
But the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which sustained thermal damage, will be examined with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board.
Published on February 28, 2026
