DGCA probes Cessna training aircraft runway excursion at Baramati airfield in Maharashtra

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe into a runway excursion involving a Cessna C-172 trainer aircraft at Baramati airfield, Maharashtra. The plane, operated by Academy of Carver Aviation during a training exercise, veered off Runway 29 and sustained damages to the body.

New Delhi:  Civil Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into a runway excursion incident involving a Cessna training aircraft at the Baramati airfield in Maharashtra on Sunday in which the plane was damaged, according to a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The aircraft was unable to stop within the paved runway surface during a training exercise and veered off beyond the threshold of Runway 29 towards the right side.

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There were no injuries or fatalities reported.

However, the aircraft has sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowling and nose landing gear and a detailed assessment of the plane will be carried out by the competent authorities, the statement said.

The Cessna C-172 trainer Aircraft registration VT-SEX, belongs to Academy of Carver Aviation, a DGCA approved Flying Training Organisation.

The aircraft was being operated for a Circuit and Landing Emergencies (CL Emergencies) training exercise, under the command of Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode, flight instructor, with trainee Abhijeet Jundre on board.

The plane taxied out at around 12:09 p.m. for the scheduled training exercise.

During the exercise, the aircraft entered the runway through Link Bravo and lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, where a rejected take-off exercise practice was carried out.

Subsequently, the aircraft lined up at the threshold of Runway 11 and another rejected take-off exercise was carried out, the statement noted.

“During the course of the exercise, the aircraft was unable to stop within the paved runway surface and subsequently veered off the extended paved surface beyond the threshold of Runway 29 towards the right side, resulting in a runway excursion,” the statement said.

“The aircraft has sustained prima facie damage to the propeller, engine cowling and nose landing gear. A detailed assessment of the damage will be carried out by the competent authorities,” the statement added.

“The DGCA Air Safety team is proceeding to the site to conduct a preliminary investigation and ascertain the circumstances and contributing factors leading to the incident. Further information will be shared as and when it is verified and becomes available,” the statement said.

A runway excursion, in aviation parlance, is a safety incident where an aircraft departs the paved runway surface during takeoff or landing.

This happens either by running off the side of the runway or shooting past the end of it.