Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Killed in Tragic Plane Crash Near Baramati
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, aged 66, tragically lost his life on Wednesday morning when the private jet carrying him from Mumbai crashed near Baramati airport. The incident, which occurred approximately 100 kilometers from Pune, has plunged the state into a period of profound political uncertainty and mourning.
Details of the Fatal Crash and Victims
The crash took place at 8:44 am, claiming the lives of four other individuals alongside Ajit Pawar. The victims include pilots Captain Sumit Kapur and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and personal security officer Vidip Jadhav. Preliminary reports from sources indicate that a potential technical glitch in the 8-seater Learjet 45 aircraft, combined with poor visibility due to early morning fog, may have contributed to this devastating tragedy.
Investigation Launched by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has formally taken over the probe into the crash. Officials have emphasized that the flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box, will play a crucial role in determining the exact cause of the accident. The director general of AAIB is expected to reach the accident site to oversee the investigation personally.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash
According to a statement from the civil aviation ministry, the sequence of events unfolded as follows:
- 8:11 am, Wednesday: The aircraft took off from Mumbai.
- 8:18 am: First contact was made with Baramati Air Traffic Control (ATC).
- Subsequent call: When the aircraft was 30 nautical miles (55 km) from Baramati, it was advised to descend at the pilot's discretion based on conditions.
- Crew enquiry: The crew inquired about winds and visibility and were informed that winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 meters.
- Final approach: The aircraft contacted ATC on the final approach to Baramati runway 11, stating the runway was not in sight, and the crew initiated a go-around.
- Second approach: After the go-around, the aircraft reported it was on its second approach to runway 11. When asked to report if the runway was in sight, the crew replied, "runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight."
- Runway sighting: After a few seconds, they reported that the runway was in sight.
- 8:43 am: The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 but did not perform a readback of the landing clearance as per standard protocol.
- 8:44 am: ATC observed flames around the threshold of runway 11, prompting emergency services to rush to the crash site. The wreckage was located on the left side of the runway.
Key Information About the Flight and Aircraft
The fatal flight involved a Learjet 45, a mid-size, twin-engine business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, commonly used for corporate and VIP charter flights. Key details include:
- Route: Mumbai to Baramati
- Manufacture year: 2010
- Registration: VT-SSK
- Flight operator: VSR Ventures
- Distance flown: Approximately 250 km
- Pilot's flying experience: Over 15,000 hours
Background on VSR Ventures and Previous Incidents
VSR Ventures, the operator of the flight, has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including 7 Learjet 45s, 5 Embraer 135BJ, 4 King Air B200, and 1 Pilatus PC-12. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted its last audit in February 2025, with no findings indicating risks to safety. However, on September 14, 2023, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures was involved in an accident during landing at Mumbai, which is currently under investigation by AAIB.
Local Context and Monitoring
At Baramati, flight traffic is monitored by instructors and pilots from Carver Aviation, a flying school. This tragic event has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political landscape, with authorities and investigators working diligently to uncover the full circumstances behind the crash.
