Trainer aircraft crashes near Baramati airstrip; no casualties

A trainer aircraft crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Maharashtra's Pune district on Sunday, August 9, 2026, during a training exercise, though no casualties were reported. The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time at Baramati Airfield, according to police officials.

The aircraft, bearing registration VTSEX and operated by private company Carver Aviation, was involved in a runway excursion. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill identified the occupants as Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode and cadet Abhijeet Jundre. Both were rescued without serious injuries.

According to Gill, the aircraft taxied out at 0639 UTC for a scheduled training exercise focused on circuit and landing emergencies. It initially entered the runway through Link Bravo and lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, where it conducted a rejected takeoff. The aircraft was then repositioned at the threshold of Runway 11 for another rejected takeoff exercise.

During this exercise, the aircraft could not be brought to a complete stop on the runway. It continued beyond the threshold of Runway 29 and subsequently veered off the extended paved surface to the right side. A senior...