The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has opened a preliminary investigation into the runway excursion involving a training aircraft at Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has now released detailed information about the incident, identifying the aircraft, its occupants and the training exercise being conducted when it left the paved runway.

The incident occurred at approximately 12.25 pm on August 9, 2026.

Aircraft and pilots identified

The aircraft was a Cessna C172, registration VT-SEX, operated by the Academy of Carver Aviation, a DGCA-approved flying-training organisation.

It was under the command of flight instructor Captain Chirag Shashikant Doifode. Trainee pilot Abhijeet Jundre was also aboard.

The aircraft taxied out at approximately 12.09 pm for a Circuit and Landing Emergencies training exercise.

What happened during the exercise?

According to the ministry, the aircraft entered the runway through Link Bravo and lined up at the threshold of Runway 29, where the crew practised a rejected take-off.

It subsequently lined up at the threshold of Runway 11 for another rejected take-off exercise.

During the exercise, the aircraft was unable to stop within the paved runway surface. It went beyond the extended paved area near the threshold of Runway 29 and veered towards the right.

The government has officially classified the occurrence as a runway excursion.

No injuries; aircraft damaged

Neither the flight instructor nor the trainee pilot was injured. No fatalities were reported.

Initial examination found damage to the aircraft’s propeller, engine cowling and nose landing gear. A detailed technical assessment will determine the full extent of the damage.

A DGCA Air Safety team is visiting the site to examine the circumstances and possible contributing factors. The cause should not be stated as established until the investigation is completed.