Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Reason: What Went Wrong With Maharashtra Deputy CM’s Aircraft?

A Learjet 45XR aircraft (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, crash-landed at Baramati Airport on Tuesday morning, killing all five onboard, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The charter flight, which departed from Mumbai, carried Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and the two pilots. The Deputy CM was scheduled to attend multiple public meetings in Baramati.

How the Crash Happened

Preliminary information suggests that the aircraft encountered technical trouble while landing at the Baramati runway. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke and hearing unusual engine noises as the plane approached. The aircraft reportedly skidded off the runway and caught fire, leaving mangled wreckage behind.

An onlooker near the airport said she noticed the aircraft in the morning as it circled the Baramati airport. "It took a round in the air, appeared a bit unstable and as it was approaching the runway to land, it hit the ground hard and exploded. There was a loud sound and could be heard at our home," the woman told a news channel. She further said several parts of the aircraft were hurled into the air after the explosion and fell near her house. "The plane tilted before coming down. We saw the explosion and it was frightening," she said.

Another eyewitness also said the aircraft appeared to be losing control as it descended. "The way the plane was coming down, we felt it was going to crash. It was around 100 feet above the runway. As we rushed towards it, we saw flames, followed by four to five consecutive blasts, which prevented us from going anywhere near the aircraft," he told reporters. "It was a major fire. We later learned that Pawar was on the aircraft. It was shocking for us," he added.

According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from radar around 8.45 am. Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state. There were five persons on board when the aircraft crashed at 8.50 am, a police official said.

Superintendent of Police, Sandip Singh Gill, said that after the crash, there was a fire. "People onboard were immediately taken to the hospital," he added.

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all five people onboard were killed. The exact cause of the crash-whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors-is under investigation.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45XR, is a high-performance business jet known for its speed and advanced avionics. It is owned and managed by VK Singh's VSR Ventures Private Limited. Experts say that while the jet is considered safe, issues during approach and landing, combined with high speed or misalignment on the runway, can result in catastrophic accidents.

Immediate Reactions

PM Modi tweeted: "Saddened by tragic air crash in Baramati, MH. Thoughts with those who lost loved ones. Praying for strength & courage for bereaved families in this grief."

NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, in Delhi for Parliament's budget session, are expected to travel to Pune. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for updates on the crash.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was a senior political figure and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. His death leaves a major void in Maharashtra politics.

The crash has prompted authorities to examine aircraft maintenance records, runway conditions, and emergency response protocols at Baramati airport. Investigators are also reviewing flight data recorders to determine why the plane failed to land safely.

As of now, the exact reason for the Learjet 45XR crash remains unconfirmed, but the investigation is ongoing.