Baramati, 29 January: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has intensified its probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Initial reports suggest that low visibility at Baramati airstrip and lack of advanced navigation equipment could be possible reasons behind the accident. According to sources, four others including two pilots, a private security officer, and a flight attendant also lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife and two sons. He left behind a significant political legacy, having shaped Maharashtra’s cooperative and development landscape for decades.
The Deputy Chief Minister passed away in the plane crash near Baramati airport on Wednesday, triggering a wave of mourning across Maharashtra.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formed a three-member committee to investigate this tragedy. An official statement from the ministry said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) team reached the accident site on Wednesday along with the AAIB. The AAIB Director General personally inspected the wreckage of the Learjet 45 aircraft.
The ministry confirmed that the black box of the aircraft has been recovered. It emphasised that a comprehensive, transparent, and timely investigation is the highest priority. Analysts are now examining the data to reconstruct the final moments of the flight and determine the exact cause of the crash.
Officials stated that the investigation currently focuses on visibility conditions at the time of the accident, pilot decisions during the flight, operational limitations at Baramati airstrip, and the reportedly uncontrolled runway, as the plane crashed during a second landing attempt.
The AAIB expert team, which arrived on Wednesday evening, has commenced forensic procedures and taken possession of the wreckage to collect evidence. Investigators have requested several records from the airline, including airframe and engine logbooks, maintenance and inspection history, aircraft documents, and crew qualifications and certificates.
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