A tragic aviation accident has claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, when their private jet crashed near Baramati after approximately 35 minutes of flight. The ill-fated aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Aviation, took off from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at around 8:10 AM and disappeared from radar at about 8:45 AM, according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.
Flight Details and Crash Timeline
The aircraft, bearing registration VT-SSK, was on a routine flight when tragedy struck. Flight path analysis reveals the jet was making a loop to align with the runway for landing at Baramati airport before it vanished from tracking systems. Preliminary information from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirms that none of the five people on board survived the crash.
Passengers and Crew on Board
Along with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the aircraft carried his personal security officer, one attendant, and two pilots. The presence of these individuals highlights the security protocols typically associated with high-profile political figures during air travel.
Aircraft Specifications and Operator Information
The Learjet 45 involved in this accident is a mid-size business jet manufactured by Canada's Bombardier Aerospace. Approximately 640 such aircraft were built during its production run from 1995 to 2012. This particular nine-seater jet was part of VSR Aviation's fleet, which according to DGCA records, operates 18 aircraft total and is based in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area.
Investigation and Regulatory Response
Given the serious nature of this accident, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. Aviation authorities will be examining multiple factors including aircraft maintenance records, pilot qualifications, weather conditions, and air traffic control communications to determine the probable cause of this devastating incident.
The age of the crashed aircraft and other specific details were not immediately available, but investigators will likely focus on these aspects as part of their comprehensive inquiry. This tragedy has sent shockwaves through political and aviation circles, raising questions about private air travel safety protocols for public officials.
