Ajit Pawar's Final Moments: Learjet 45 Pilot Cited Poor Visibility Before Fatal Crash
In a tragic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political landscape, the final moments of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's fatal flight have been revealed through official investigation documents. The Nationalist Congress Party chief, along with four others, perished when their chartered Learjet 45 aircraft crashed during landing at Baramati airport following a routine election rally trip.
Sequence of Events Before the Crash
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a detailed press statement outlining the critical minutes before the devastating accident. According to their official timeline, the aircraft was approaching runway 11 at Baramati airport when the pilot communicated with Air Traffic Control about challenging visibility conditions around the landing area.
The communication breakdown began when the pilot initially reported "no sight of runway" to the ATC, but moments later informed the controller that the runway had come into view. This inconsistency in visual confirmation would prove to be a crucial factor in the subsequent tragedy.
Failed Landing Attempt and Go-Around
Despite receiving clearance for landing on runway 11, the Learjet 45 aircraft, operating under the call sign Learway 45, failed to provide the standard readback confirmation of the landing clearance. This procedural omission raised immediate concerns among aviation experts reviewing the incident.
The ministry's report states: "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."
During this critical phase, when specifically asked to confirm runway visibility, the crew responded: "runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight." Mere seconds later, they reported that the runway had become visible, prompting the ATC to clear them for landing at 0843 Indian Standard Time.
The Final Moments and Aftermath
What followed this clearance remains the most haunting aspect of the investigation. Despite receiving landing authorization, the aircraft once again failed to provide the mandatory readback confirmation. Shortly thereafter, air traffic controllers witnessed a horrifying scene unfold before them.
The ATC observed massive flames erupting around runway 11, marking the tragic conclusion to what had begun as a standard political travel day. The fiery crash claimed the lives of Maharashtra's powerful deputy chief minister and four accompanying individuals, creating an irreplaceable void in the state's political leadership.
Investigation and Implications
Aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the multiple factors that contributed to this disaster. Key areas of focus include:
- The fluctuating visibility conditions reported by the flight crew
- The procedural lapses in communication protocol
- Weather conditions at Baramati airport during the approach
- Aircraft maintenance and technical performance factors
- ATC procedures and response protocols
This tragedy has raised serious questions about aviation safety protocols for political leaders' travel and highlighted the critical importance of consistent communication between cockpit crews and air traffic control during challenging landing conditions.
The loss of Ajit Pawar, a veteran political figure with decades of experience in Maharashtra politics, has created significant political ramifications that will likely reshape the state's power dynamics in the coming months. As investigations continue, aviation authorities have emphasized their commitment to determining the exact chain of events that led to this preventable tragedy.
