Accidental Death Report Filed After Plane Crash Kills Ajit Pawar and Four Others in Baramati

An accidental death report has been registered regarding the plane crash that resulted in the deaths of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The investigation will be conducted by the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department following the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's inquiry.

A tragic plane crash in Baramati, Pune district, claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The incident occurred on Wednesday when a chartered aircraft crashed just 200 metres from the tabletop runway at Baramati airport. A senior police officer confirmed that an accidental death report (ADR) has been filed with the Baramati taluka police station.

The Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is expected to take over the investigation following the ADR registration. This procedure aligns with standard protocol, especially when a prominent public figure is involved. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has already initiated its inquiry into the crash.

Investigation by CID and AAIB

An official from CID mentioned that they have not yet received formal orders to investigate. However, it is anticipated that CID will soon be tasked with probing the ADR registered by local authorities. The AAIB's involvement ensures a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Ajit Pawar, aged 66, was en route from Mumbai to address four rallies in Pune district for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections on February 5. Tragically, he did not survive the crash along with Captain Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Capt. Shambhavi Pathak, Personal Security Officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.

Details of the Crash

The government released a statement outlining the events leading to the accident. The Learjet aircraft was initially cleared for landing after a go-around due to poor visibility. Despite receiving clearance, there was no read-back from the aircraft to air traffic control (ATC). Moments later, it burst into flames near the runway's edge.

Captain Sumit Kapoor had an extensive flying experience of 15,000 hours, while co-pilot Capt. Shambhavi Pathak had logged 1,500 hours. Their expertise highlights the unexpected nature of this tragic event.

The investigation will focus on understanding what went wrong during those critical moments before the crash. Both CID and AAIB are expected to collaborate closely to uncover all factors contributing to this disaster.

This incident has sent shockwaves throughout Maharashtra and beyond, as Ajit Pawar was a significant political figure heading the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His untimely demise has left a void in state politics and raised questions about aviation safety protocols.

With inputs from PTI