Baramati, India: A Cessna 172S training aircraft operated by Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd. veered off the runway during a training exercise at Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The aircraft, registered VT-SEX, had two people onboard flight instructor Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode and cadet Abhijeet Jundre. Both escaped unharmed.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 pm. The four-seat aircraft was conducting a Circuit and Landing Emergencies training exercise, during which the trainee was required to practise landing following an emergency scenario. Police and aviation authorities said the aircraft was involved in rejected-take-off exercises as part of the training sequence.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the DGCA-approved Academy of Carver Aviation aircraft “suffered a runway excursion at Baramati Airfield.” The ministry said the aircraft “was involved in a Circuit and Landing Emergencies (CL Emergencies) training exercise” and was unable to stop within the paved runway surface before veering onto the extended paved area beyond the runway threshold. A DGCA Air Safety team was sent to the site to conduct a preliminary investigation.
Police said the aircraft initially entered the runway through Link Bravo and lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, where it carried out a rejected take-off exercise. It was subsequently positioned at the threshold of Runway 11 for another rejected take-off exercise. During the sequence, the aircraft could not be brought to a complete stop and continued beyond the runway before veering onto the grassy area. Police said the aircraft travelled roughly 20 feet beyond the runway end before entering the grass.
Inspector Narayan Pawar said, “The brakes of the aircraft seem to have not worked,” while adding that the situation was under control. Pune Rural Deputy Superintendent of Police Chaitanya Kadam confirmed that both occupants were safe.
The aircraft sustained damage during the runway excursion. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, prima facie, damage was found to the propeller, engine cowling and nose landing gear, with a detailed assessment to be conducted by the competent authorities.
The cause of the incident has not yet been established. Police said investigators were examining whether the aircraft developed a technical problem or whether another factor contributed to the runway excursion. A senior police official said, “It is too early to comment on anything,” as the investigation was still at an early stage.
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill said the aircraft skidded while landing. In a statement reported by Economic Times, Gill said: “An aircraft VT-SEX was involved in a runway excursion incident at Baramati Airfield during a training exercise, with Capt Chirag Shashikant Doifode and Cadet Abhijeet Jundre on board. No injuries have been reported.”
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 172S, a four-seat single-engine trainer. The DGCA’s list of approved flying training organisations as of March 30, 2026, lists VT-SEX as a Cessna 172S operated by Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd., whose flying base is near Baramati Airport. Carver Aviation’s own fleet information also lists VT-SEX among its training aircraft.
There was therefore no injury to the cadet, no injury to the instructor and no fatality in the August 9 incident. The aircraft was not carrying passengers beyond the two flight-training occupants, and the incident occurred during a scheduled training exercise rather than a passenger operation.
The incident has nevertheless renewed scrutiny of safety conditions at Baramati. Hindustan Times described it as the seventh aircraft accident or incident linked to Baramati’s aviation and flight-training operations since 2022, prompting calls for a broader review of infrastructure, operational systems and oversight.
Aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar said the latest incident should trigger a comprehensive review of the airfield. “It is important that the safety and confidence of trainee pilots must be paramount,” Vandekar said, adding that Baramati’s infrastructure and operational systems need to keep pace with the volume of flying activity. He called for appropriate air traffic services, modern navigation and communication systems and stronger emergency-response infrastructure.
The DGCA is now examining the circumstances and contributing factors behind the August 9 runway excursion. At present, authorities have not attributed the incident to a confirmed brake failure, mechanical defect, pilot error or any other specific cause. The investigation is expected to establish what led the Cessna 172S to leave the paved runway during the training exercise.
