Ajit Pawar's Plane Crash CCTV Video Out; Footage Captures His Last Moment

The CCTV footage of the plane crash carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is out online.

The video captured from a highway near Baramati Airport provides a harrowing glimpse into the aircraft's final seconds. At approximately 8:46 AM, the feed shows a sudden fireball followed by a massive plume of black smoke erupting just minutes away from the runway. The crash claimed the lives of all five individuals on board, including Pawar and the flight crew.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bombardier Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed at approximately 8:46 AM during a second attempt to land in conditions of dense fog and poor visibility. The aircraft reportedly veered off the runway threshold and exploded upon impact. All five individuals on board, including Pawar, a personal security officer, an attendant, and two pilots, perished in the disaster.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing profound grief over what he termed an "irreparable loss," has declared a state holiday and three days of official mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders have extended their condolences, remembering Pawar as a dedicated grassroots leader with an immense administrative grip.

In Baramati, a heavy crowd gathered at the local hospital as the leader's mortal remains were brought in, and the town has shut down in a spontaneous mark of respect.

A high-level investigation is now underway, led by a special team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Investigators are moving to recover the flight recorder, the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, and the Digital Engine Electronic System to determine the precise cause of the technical failure or human error. The probe will also involve a thorough audit of the 16-year-old aircraft's maintenance logs and air traffic control recordings.

Ajit Pawar leaves behind a towering legacy as the state's longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister, having held the post a record six times under various administrations. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and two sons, Jay and Parth. As the state prepares for his last rites, the tragedy leaves a significant void in Maharashtra's political future, particularly for the NCP as it navigates this sudden transition.

With inputs from agencies.