Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, 66, was killed on Wednesday after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The Learjet 45, flying from Mumbai to Pawar's hometown, burst into flames moments after crash-landing near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board.
Besides Ajit Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer Vidhit Jadhav, flight attendant Pinki Jadhav, and pilots Sumit Kapur and Shambhavi Pathak.
The crash occurred around 8.48 am, prompting immediate deployment of investigation teams from the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, while the Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning.
Here are the top 10 updates on the Ajit Pawar plane crash:
Ajit Pawar among five killed in Baramati plane crash
Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, 66, died after a Learjet 45 aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district on Wednesday morning. All five people on board were killed.
Aircraft burst into flames after crash-landing near runway threshold
The plane crash-landed near the threshold of runway 11 at around 8:48 am and immediately burst into flames. Airport officials confirmed there were no survivors.
Victims identified: Pawar, PSO, attendant, and two pilots
{{/usCountry}}The plane crash-landed near the threshold of runway 11 at around 8:48 am and immediately burst into flames. Airport officials confirmed there were no survivors.
Victims identified: Pawar, PSO, attendant, and two pilots
{{/usCountry}}The deceased include Ajit Pawar, his security officer Vidhit Jadhav, flight attendant Pinki Jadhav, and pilots Sumit Kapur and Shambhavi Pathak.
Plane took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am, vanished from radar at 8.45 am
According to Flight Radar data, the Learjet 45 departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and disappeared from radar shortly before the crash, which occurred at around 8.50 am.
Second landing attempt, poor visibility suspected
Sources said the aircraft was attempting a second landing due to poor visibility near the runway. The pilot had reportedly alerted air traffic control about visibility issues moments before the crash.
Eyewitnesses report unstable aircraft and multiple explosions
Witnesses said the aircraft appeared unstable during descent and burst into flames upon impact, followed by four to five explosions, preventing rescue attempts due to intense heat.
DGCA and AAIB launch investigation, teams dispatched to crash site
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the crash and ordered a probe. A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has left for Baramati to investigate the incident.
Maharashtra declares three-day state mourning
The Maharashtra government announced a three-day state mourning from January 28 to January 30. The national flag will fly at half-mast and no official entertainment will be held.
Political leaders across party lines express grief
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, and several others condoled Pawar’s death, calling it a major national loss.
Ajit Pawar was travelling for election campaigning
Pawar was heading to Baramati to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections when the fatal crash occurred.