1 hour ago
6
ARTICLE AD BOX
NCP leader Ajit Pawar was on his way to Baramati to hold four political rallies ahead the upcoming Zilla Parishad polls; the mangled and burnt remains of his plane after the crash. (Express Photos by Amit Chakravarty, Arul Horizon)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday. The NCP leader was set to hold four political rallies for the upcoming Zilla Parishad polls.
“There were a total of 05 persons on board including 02 crew members. The passengers included Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Ajit Pawar. All the occupants of the aircrafts received fatal injuries,” the civil aviation ministry said in a government release.
It also revealed the sequence of event leading to the fatal accident.
‘Baramati’s uncontrolled airfield’
Baramati, where Ajit Pawar was headed, is an uncontrolled airfield. This means that air traffic information is provided by the instructors/pilot from the flying training organisations at Baramati. The ministry said the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash was as follows, based on the statement of the person manning the Air Traffic Control (ATC):
How Ajit Pawar’s plane crash unfolded?
- On 28th January 2026 the aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact with Baramati at 0818 IST.
- The aircraft’s next call was at 30 NM inbound to Baramati and they were released by Pune approach. They were advised to descend in Visual Meteorological conditions at pilot’s discretion.
- The crew enquired about the winds and visibility and they were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3000 mts.
- Next the aircraft reported on the final approach of Runway 11 and the runway was not in sight to them. They initiated a go-around in the first approach.
- After Go Around, the aircraft was asked about its position and crew reported on final approach of runway 11.
- They were asked to report runway in sight. They replied “runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight”. After a few seconds they reported that the runway is in sight.
- The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 0843IST, however, they did not give a readback of the landing clearance.
- Next, the ATC saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 0844 IST. The emergency services then rushed to the crash site.
- The wreckage of the aircraft is located on the left side of the runway abeam threshold R/W 11.
AAIB takes over probe
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the investigation. DG, AAIB is reaching the accident site for investigation, the release said. Further details of the same as and when available will be shared.
The AAIB is also investigating the fateful Air India accident in Ahmedabad when a London-bound plane crashed minutes after take-off. There was only one survivor in that crash, with 241 passengers dead.
English (US) ·