Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Official Report Confirms Learjet 45 Was Airworthy and Compliant
The tragic aircraft crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others in Baramati on Wednesday morning has taken a new turn with the release of an official report. According to the findings, the Learjet 45 aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, was fully airworthy and in compliance with all regulatory requirements at the time of the accident.
Details of the Fatal Crash and Aircraft Specifications
The ill-fated flight was a non-scheduled journey from Mumbai to Baramati, operated by M/s VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. The aircraft, manufactured in 2010, had accumulated a total of 4,915 flight hours and 5,867 cycles since it was new. Officials confirmed that its Airworthiness Review Certificate was valid until September 2026, and it had undergone its last airworthiness review in September 2025.
Both engines of the Learjet 45 were found to be operating within prescribed limits, adding to the perplexity surrounding the cause of the crash. The aircraft crashed at approximately 8.44 am near the threshold of Runway 11 at Baramati airfield, resulting in the deaths of all five occupants, including two pilots and three passengers.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash
Baramati is classified as an uncontrolled airfield, where traffic advisories are typically provided by instructors and pilots from flying training organizations. The aircraft first established contact with Baramati at 8.18 am and was later released by Pune Approach at a distance of 30 nautical miles inbound. The crew was instructed to descend under visual meteorological conditions.
During the initial approach to Runway 11, the pilots reported that the runway was not in sight and initiated a go-around procedure. On the second approach, the crew confirmed they were on final and subsequently indicated that the runway was in sight. The aircraft was cleared to land at 8.43 am; however, officials noted that no readback of the landing clearance was received from the crew.
A minute later, flames were observed near the threshold of Runway 11, prompting emergency services to rush to the site. The wreckage was eventually located on the left side of the runway, abeam the threshold, marking the tragic end to the flight.
Operator Background and Previous Incident
M/s VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., the operator of the aircraft, holds a Non-Scheduled Operator Permit issued in 2014, which remains valid until April 2028. The company operates a fleet of 17 aircraft, which includes seven Learjet 45 jets. Its last regulatory audit conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took place in February 2025, with no Level-I findings reported.
In a related development, it was revealed that in September 2023, another Learjet 45 operated by the same company was involved in a landing accident at Mumbai airport. On September 14, 2023, the aircraft veered off the runway while landing after a flight from Vizag to Mumbai. Although the aircraft sustained damage, no fatalities were reported in that incident, and it is currently under investigation.
Investigation and Future Steps
The probe into Wednesday's crash has been taken over by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Officials stated that the Director General of AAIB is proceeding to the crash site, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. The focus will likely be on understanding the factors that led to the crash despite the aircraft's airworthy status and compliance with regulations.
This incident has raised significant questions about aviation safety protocols, especially in uncontrolled airfields, and underscores the need for thorough investigations to prevent future tragedies. The loss of Ajit Pawar, a prominent political figure in Maharashtra, has added a layer of public and political scrutiny to the case, making the findings of the AAIB investigation highly anticipated.
