Baramati (Maharashtra) [India], January 28 : On an urgent request from the Maharashtra government, the Indian Air Force has swiftly deployed a team of Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel along with essential technical equipment from Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati Airport, the Defence officials said on Wednesday.
The team promptly established emergency Air Traffic Control services, including communication and other emergency facilities, in coordination with the local administration to support safe and efficient air traffic management, they added.
In an X post, the Indian Air Force stated that a dedicated team of Air Warriors has been deployed on the urgent request of the civic authorities after the Baramati plane crash. The team is providing basic Air Traffic Control and Meteorological services.
"In response to the civic authorities' urgent request after the tragic aircraft crash at Baramati Airport, the Indian Air Force has swiftly deployed a dedicated team of Air Warriors. They are providing essential basic Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Meteorological services to support safe air operations from the site. This rapid assistance underscores IAF's commitment to national service in times of need," the IAF wrote.
This development comes after Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was killed in a crash landing of a charter plane in Baramati this morning.
As part of the investigation into the crash, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) officials were present at the office of VSR Ventures Private Limited, which operates the ill-fated charter plane. The AAIB team was seen placing boxes of documents into vehicles.
Airframe and engine logbooks, work orders, on-board documents, and major inspection records related to aircraft will be gathered from the operator for scrutiny.
The probe team has also sought documents from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) related to the crew and the aircraft. Radar data recordings, CCTV footage, ATC recordings, and hotline communications will be obtained for further analysis.
Meanwhile, Pawar, 66, was killed after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district.
The plane crash-landed near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board the chartered plane. Among the deceased were his personal security officer, a flight attendant and two pilots.
The crash occurred around 8.48 am, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have dispatched probe teams to the site of the mishap to investigate.
Pawar was on his way to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections.