Government Explains Absence of Firefighters at Baramati Airport During Ajit Pawar Crash

The Central Government has assured that the investigation into the tragic plane crash near Baramati Airport, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, will be completed in a timely and thorough manner. Questions have arisen over why firefighters were not present at the airport when the incident occurred, and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has provided clarifications.

Investigation Underway

Speaking at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad, Minister Naidu stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have reached the crash site. The black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered, and the investigation is in progress. He emphasized a strict timeline will be followed to ensure the report is completed as soon as possible.

Why Firefighters Were Not Present

When asked about the absence of fire fighters at Baramati, Naidu explained that the airstrip is primarily used by flying training schools rather than commercial operations. The Flying Training Organisation (FTO) operating at the airstrip has the necessary facilities for training purposes. The airport functions under a Non-Scheduled Operators Permit (NSOP), not a commercial license, and therefore, does not routinely host commercial-grade fire-fighting resources.

Although Baramati Airport is occasionally used for VIP flights, aviation facilities are limited due to its primary focus on flight training. Naidu noted that when an NSOP airstrip is licensed for commercial use, certain safety requirements must be met—but this airstrip is mainly dedicated to training operations under NSOP.

Aviation Safety in India

The Minister emphasized that India is among the few countries recognized globally for robust aviation safety protocols, ensuring that overall air travel remains secure.

The Tragic Incident

On January 28, 2026, the chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar and four others crashed just 200 meters from the tabletop runway at Baramati Airport. Following the incident, the Maharashtra government formally requested the Centre to conduct a detailed investigation, which is currently underway.

Minister Naidu reiterated that the government’s approach to aviation safety is zero-tolerance, and all findings from the ongoing investigation will be implemented to prevent future tragedies.