A devastating aircraft accident claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others when their chartered plane crashed during landing at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning.

Final Moments of the Flight

The incident occurred around 8:48 am when the Learjet 45 aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, attempted to land in challenging weather conditions. Aviation authorities revealed that the pilots’ final recorded communication consisted of a distressed exclamation moments before the crash.

Weather Conditions and Landing Attempts

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that poor visibility likely contributed to the accident. During the initial landing attempt, the pilots reported they couldn’t see the runway and performed a go-around maneuver. The crash occurred during their second landing attempt, shortly after receiving clearance from Air Traffic Control.

Victims and Aircraft Details

The crash claimed five lives, including:
– Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (66)
– His personal security officer
– A flight attendant
– Two pilots

The aircraft was operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Private Limited.

Political Impact and State Response

Pawar, who held the position of Deputy Chief Minister six times throughout his career, was traveling to Baramati for a Zilla Panchayat election campaign. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared a state holiday and announced three days of mourning in Maharashtra.

Final Arrangements

The last rites for Ajit Pawar will be conducted with full state honors on Thursday at 11 am in Baramati, Pune district. The veteran politician’s death marks the end of an era in Maharashtra’s political landscape, where he was known as a towering figure in state politics.