Investigators Question if 'GAGAN' System Was Present in Ajit Pawar's Aircraft

• The investigation into the plane crash involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has received new information. The preliminary investigation shows that the aircraft which he used for travel lacked the GAGAN satellite-based safety system. The authorities believe this equipment deficiency might have caused the crash.
• The aircraft received its registration 28 days prior to the date when regulations required all new aircraft to install GAGAN system. The investigators try to determine whether the guidance system exists.

What is the GAGAN System?

• The Instrument Landing System (ILS) helps pilots at major airports to land their aircraft. The system uses ground-based equipment to deliver accurate flight paths when pilots operate their aircraft under poor visibility conditions which occur during rain or fog weather. The system establishes an invisible glide path which assists pilots in executing successful landings.
• The ILS system operates at excessive costs which make it inaccessible to small airports such as Baramati. The central government established GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) which functions as a satellite-based navigation system. GAGAN uses satellite signals to provide landing guidance to pilots which removes the requirement of ground equipment.
• The government established GAGAN as a mandatory requirement for all aircraft which received registration after June 30 2021. The Learjet 45 aircraft which contained Ajit Pawar onboard received its registration on June 2 2021 which occurred 28 days before the rule implementation. The GAGAN system installation did not become mandatory because of this situation. The investigators suspect that the system installation did not occur. The absence of GAGAN system would create difficulties for pilots who needed to identify the runway during periods of low visibility.

Landing Challenges at Baramati Airport

• Baramati airport is an uncontrolled airfield, meaning it does not have a full air traffic control system. Pilots rely on information from local flight training organizations. Without ILS or GAGAN, pilots use the step-down procedure. This involves descending in stages until the runway is clearly visible before landing.
• While this method works in good weather, aviation analysts say landing at Baramati can be risky in conditions like fog. Even minor errors could result in serious accidents.