Pune: The ministry of civil aviation has expressed willingness to help state govt in developing the Baramati airstrip, even as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB’s) preliminary probe report into Jan 28 plane crash, which claimed the lives of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others, is likely to be ready in a month-and-a-half, said sources.“AAIB has the black box. Since I am in Delhi, I will speak to AAIB on the progress of investigation,” Pune MP and minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol told TOI.A pilot, requesting anonymity, said the video clip showing the aircraft doing a sharp left bank before falling off near the Baramati airstrip last week indicated that it might have faced a stall — a condition in which the smooth airflow over the wing turns into a turbulent one, causing a sudden loss of lift. Aircraft lift is the upward aerodynamic force generated primarily by wings as they move through the air, countering gravity to enable flight.The pilot explained, “Stalling mainly happens when the angle between the wind and the incoming air exceeds the critical angle of the wing, creating turbulent air, which results in the aircraft descending. The ill-fated aircraft was flying at a low altitude before landing. The AAIB report will give the precise picture of what really happened.”The Baramati airstrip, having a table-top runway, was transferred to Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd last year. A senior official in the civil aviation ministry said Maharashtra govt should take up the development of Baramati airstrip on priority. “The airport belongs to state govt. If they need anything from the ministry, it will be provided. This includes all permissions,” the official told TOI on Sunday.TOI sent a text message to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis asking about the state govt’s plan regarding the development of the Baramati airstrip. His reply was awaited till going to press.“Flying schools used the facility for years and there have been many landings. A CCTV footage of the Jan 28 plane crash indicates that low visibility led to a chain of unfortunate events. The state govt needs to work towards development of the airstrip,” another official said, adding that the civil aviation ministry was ready to help the state with an OLS (obstacle limitation survey) of the airstrip.
