In a private plane crash incident that has sent shockwaves across India, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45XR operated by VSR Aviation, was carrying Pawar and four others when it crash-landed in an open field near Baramati, his hometown in Pune district.
Aviation authorities confirmed there were no survivors, with the plane bursting into flames upon impact. The crash occurred approximately 159 miles southeast of Mumbai, as the flight was en route from India’s financial capital to Baramati.
Eyewitness accounts and television footage captured the harrowing scene: thick smoke billowing from the wreckage, with flames engulfing the debris scattered across the field. CCTV footage from a nearby highway revealed the exact moment of the crash, showing the jet plummeting and erupting into a massive fireball.
The victims included Pawar, two pilots, and two additional passengers. Identification of the bodies proved challenging due to the intensity of the fire, but Pawar’s remains were confirmed via his distinctive wristwatch.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe into the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting the pilots reported “runway not in sight” moments before the crash.
Notably, the same Learjet had experienced a landing mishap in 2023, raising questions about maintenance and safety protocols.
Photo: Ajit Pawar died in plane crash.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was a veteran politician and a key figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape. As a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), he had served multiple terms as Deputy CM and was known for his influence in water resources and agriculture sectors.
Capt. Shambhavi Pathak was one of the deceased who died in plane crash beside Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
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