PUNE: Newly released CCTV footage has revealed the horrifying final moments of the chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, which exploded while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The devastating sequence of events, captured in chilling detail, shows a massive ball of fire erupting from the aircraft, followed by billowing smoke and successive smaller explosions that lasted for approximately eight minutes, according to officials and eyewitness accounts.
Chaotic Crash Scene and Eyewitness Accounts
The Learjet 45, registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR, crashed at around 8:45 am local time. All five people on board perished in the tragedy, including 66-year-old Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and the two crew members comprising the pilot-in-command and first officer.
Eyewitnesses who rushed to the scene described scenes of utter chaos and intense fire. "I saw it with my own eyes. When the plane was descending, it looked like it would crash — and it did. Soon after, it exploded," a local villager told ANI. "When we rushed to the spot, the aircraft was completely engulfed in flames. There were four to five more explosions. People tried to pull the passengers out, but the fire was too intense," the eyewitness added with visible distress. "It was flying towards the runway but fell about 100 feet short. Ajit Pawar was on board — it is extremely painful to witness."
Visuals from the crash site showed mangled wreckage and thick, dark smoke as villagers and emergency responders gathered helplessly around the burning remains. Pawar had been traveling to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections, having been in Mumbai the previous day for a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
National Leaders Express Profound Grief
The tragic incident prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to offer their heartfelt condolences. Pawar's cousin and Baramati MP Supriya Sule immediately left for Maharashtra following the devastating news.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed being "deeply shocked and pained" by Pawar's untimely demise, recalling his long-standing commitment to Maharashtra's development. Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Priyanka Chaturvedi and Arvind Sawant described Pawar as a "committed and bold leader" whose work had left a lasting impact on Baramati and the state.
Comprehensive Investigation Launched
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a detailed probe into the catastrophic crash. Investigators will retrieve multiple critical components and documents, including:
- The flight recorder (black box)
- Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)
- Digital Engine Electronic System (DEES)
- Airframe and engine logbooks
- Other key operational documents
Additionally, authorities will analyze CCTV footage, radar data, air traffic control (ATC) communication tapes, and statements from eyewitnesses to determine the precise cause of the crash that claimed the life of one of Maharashtra's most prominent political figures.
State Mourning Declared
Following Pawar's tragic death, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three days of state mourning from January 28 to January 30. During this period:
- The national flag will fly at half-mast across all government buildings
- All state government offices will remain closed
- Official entertainment programs have been cancelled
Fadnavis stated that the final rites would be conducted in close consultation with the bereaved family. Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP founder Sharad Pawar and cousin of MP Supriya Sule, was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the prestigious post six times across governments led by Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. He is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar.
