Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Dies in Private Aircraft Crash Near Baramati

In an unfortunate incident on Wednesday, a Learjet 45 carrying Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, along with four others, crashed in western India, resulting in the death of all onboard. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Mumbai, the financial capital of India, to Baramati, Pawar’s hometown, approximately 254 kilometers away. According to aviation authorities, the mid-sized private jet attempted to land at Baramati airstrip but crash-landed in an open field near the runway and subsequently caught fire. Television broadcasts captured images of smoke billowing from the accident site, underscoring the severity of the crash. Baramati operates as an uncontrolled airfield, lacking a dedicated air traffic control tower. Instead, air traffic information is relayed to pilots by instructors affiliated with nearby flight training institutions. This arrangement is a notable aspect under scrutiny in the aftermath of the crash, as the Ministry of Civil Aviation noted in their statement. Before attempting to land, the aircraft crew sought and received information about the wind conditions and visibility from a local flight instructor. Despite calm winds and visibility estimates of around 3,000 meters, the crew reported that they could not visually confirm the runway, indicating possible challenges linked to visibility or other factors. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that among the five fatalities were two crew members and two of Pawar’s staff traveling with him. At 66 years old, Ajit Pawar was traveling to Baramati to participate in campaigning for a local election, deepening the impact of the loss on regional political activities. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau taking the lead in determining the precise causes of the crash. Initial reports from local media have suggested poor visibility as a contributing factor, although official findings are pending. This incident draws attention to operational challenges at uncontrolled airfields like Baramati, where the absence of dedicated air traffic control may augment risks during aircraft approach and landing, especially under suboptimal visibility conditions. The tragic loss of a senior political figure and his associates highlights the intersection of aviation safety and political developments in the region.