In a devastating aviation tragedy that has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives when their aircraft crashed near the Baramati airstrip on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 8:44 AM, resulting in a fiery scene that left first responders confronting high flames, a burning aircraft, and five charred bodies at the crash site in Atole Vasti.
First Responders Encounter Harrowing Scene
Firefighters from the Baramati MIDC fire station received an emergency call at 8:57 AM and immediately dispatched two fire tenders to the location. S T Ingawale, the fire station officer, described the scene as catastrophic. "We saw the mangled remains of the aircraft scattered around, and the fire had engulfed nearby trees and grass. The flames were high due to the presence of fuel," Ingawale recounted.
After managing to control the intense blaze, the firefighting team discovered two charred individuals outside the aircraft wreckage and three more inside. "They were burnt and motionless. We took them to hospital in ambulances," Ingawale stated, highlighting the grim nature of the recovery operation.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Fatal Descent
Local residents who witnessed the crash provided chilling accounts of the aircraft's final moments. Anita Atole, a resident of Gojubavi village located near the runway, reported seeing the plane flying unusually low before the disaster unfolded. "It was flying very low and circled around the airport once. Suddenly it started spiralling and crashed. There was a huge fire in the air and smoke billowed," she described.
Atole added that emergency responders faced challenges reaching the crash site due to the absence of a proper metallic road, forcing fire brigade vehicles to take alternative routes. The smell of gasoline permeated the area well into the afternoon, creating an eerie atmosphere around the accident location.
Raghu Maruti Atole, a 65-year-old farmer living close to the accident spot, was feeding his cattle when he observed the small aircraft approaching the airstrip. "Its tail hit a tree. Within a few minutes, the aircraft returned towards the landing side of the airstrip from the railway gate side around 8:45 AM. The aircraft was swaying. Then suddenly, there was a loud noise, like a blast," he recalled.
The farmer rushed toward the airstrip to discover flames reaching approximately 50 feet high with aircraft parts scattered across the area. When questioned about weather conditions, Atole confirmed the presence of dense fog in the vicinity at the time of the crash.
Victims Identified and Official Response
Alongside Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the fatal flight carried four other individuals: pilots Captain Sumit Kapur and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and personal security officer Vidip Jadhav. All five victims were pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Sandeep Singh Gill, Superintendent of Police for Pune rural district, confirmed the tragic outcome. "All the five were moved to hospital where they were pronounced dead," Gill stated, adding that police teams discovered the aircraft fully engulfed in flames upon arrival and waited for fire brigade personnel to complete their work before proceeding with recovery operations.
The police officer further explained that due to the severely charred condition of the bodies, DNA testing was necessary to establish positive identification before contacting relatives of the deceased.
Expert Analysis of Possible Causes
Aviation experts have begun examining potential factors that may have contributed to the fatal crash. Air Vice-Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd) suggested multiple possibilities, stating, "The tragedy could have happened because of factors such as low visibility, sudden technical issues or other operational challenges."
A senior test pilot familiar with business jet operations provided additional insight into the particular challenges associated with such aircraft. "These jets are known for their high cruise and approach speeds. While speed is an advantage in reducing the travel time, it sharply narrows the decision-making window for pilots," the expert explained.
The pilot further elaborated on landing complexities, noting, "During landing, this becomes especially critical. These typically require longer landing distances and precise touchdown points. A slightly unstable approach or delayed correction can quickly lead to runway overruns or hard landings."
Investigation and Security Measures
Authorities have established a special committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash. Police teams from various stations arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area as crowds began gathering upon learning about Ajit Pawar's demise.
Forensic experts and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers also reached the crash site to collect evidence and begin the meticulous process of determining the exact sequence of events that led to this tragic loss of life. The investigation will likely examine multiple factors including weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records, pilot experience, and potential technical malfunctions.
As Maharashtra mourns the loss of its deputy chief minister and four other individuals, questions remain about aviation safety protocols and the circumstances that culminated in this devastating incident near Baramati.
