A devastating aviation accident claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others when their private aircraft crashed during landing at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at 8:44 am, marking a tragic end to what began as a routine flight to attend a public meeting.
Crash Details and Immediate Response
The aircraft, a Bombardier Aerospace Learjet-45, departed Mumbai at 8:10 am but encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Baramati. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft tilt mid-air before a loud explosion, followed by flames and thick smoke. The plane crashed approximately 600 meters short of the runway.
The victims included Ajit Pawar, Captain Sumit Kapoor, Captain Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security officer Vidiip Jadhav. There were no survivors.
Weather Conditions and Final Moments
Dense fog severely limited visibility on Wednesday morning. The pilots made two landing attempts, with the first aborted due to poor runway visibility. During the second approach, they reported visual contact with the runway and received landing clearance. Contact with the aircraft was lost at approximately 8:43 am, moments before the crash.
Aircraft Safety History
The Learjet-45 involved in the accident was operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Private Limited. This aircraft model has been involved in eight major accidents worldwide since 1998, resulting in 29 fatalities. The specific aircraft was 16 years old at the time of the crash.
Baramati Airport Safety Concerns
The accident has highlighted ongoing safety concerns at Baramati airport, which has experienced multiple aviation incidents in recent years. The facility lacks modern air traffic control systems and advanced landing technology necessary for safe operations in poor visibility conditions.
Contributing Risk Factors
- Uncontrolled airfield status
- Heavy training aircraft traffic
- Frequent fog conditions
- Limited landing assistance technology
Investigation Underway
Aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation into the crash. The probe will examine the black box data, weather conditions, maintenance records, and witness statements to determine the cause of the accident.
Political Impact
Ajit Pawar’s death marks the end of a 44-year political career that included six terms as Deputy Chief Minister. His passing raises questions about the future leadership of his party faction. Potential successors include his wife Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, and senior party leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Dhananjay Munde, and Chhagan Bhujbal.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for patience while the investigation proceeds, while Sharad Pawar has urged against politicizing the tragedy.
