Pilots Identified in Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's Fatal Plane Crash
The aviation community and political circles in Maharashtra are reeling from the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others. The incident occurred near the Baramati airstrip, where a Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, met with a fatal accident shortly before its planned landing.
Details of the Fatal Flight
The ill-fated flight took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 8:11 AM on Wednesday. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft was approximately 109 miles from Mumbai and was en route to Baramati. The Learjet 45, bearing registration number VTSSKLJ45, was a private charter flight carrying Ajit Pawar, along with his entourage, for a scheduled public rally in his hometown ahead of the Zilla Parishad Elections.
Tragically, the plane crash-landed near the Baramati airstrip, resulting in a fiery aftermath that gutted the aircraft. Initial reports from flight tracking website Flightradar24 indicate that the plane was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when the crash occurred, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation into the causes of this devastating event.
Identification of the Pilots and Other Victims
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the identities of all individuals onboard the aircraft, who perished in the crash. In addition to the 66-year-old Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, the victims included:
- One Personal Security Officer (PSO)
- One attendant
- Two pilots
The crew members were identified as Captain Sahil Madan, who served as the Pilot-in-Command (PIC), and the First Officer (FO). Other victims named in the crash are Vidip Jadhav, Pinki Mali, and Sumit Kapoor. The DGCA stated in an initial report, "As per initial information, all five persons onboard the aircraft have succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash." This confirmation underscores the severity of the incident and the loss of all lives involved.
Background on Ajit Pawar and the Aftermath
Ajit Pawar, serving as the 8th Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra under the Devendra Fadnavis-led government alongside Eknath Shinde, was a senior NCP leader with a significant political legacy. He holds the record as the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively, a testament to his enduring influence in state politics.
The crash has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra's political landscape, coming at a critical time ahead of local elections. Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar, who now mourn the sudden loss of a family patriarch and a prominent public figure.
Investigation and Regulatory Response
Authorities, including the DGCA, are actively investigating the crash to determine the exact causes and any potential safety lapses. The aviation regulator's involvement highlights the importance of ensuring aviation safety standards, especially for charter flights carrying high-profile individuals. The use of a Learjet 45, a model known for its performance in private aviation, adds technical aspects to the probe that experts will scrutinize.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the circumstances leading to the crash, including weather conditions, pilot decisions, and aircraft maintenance. The visual evidence from the crash site, showing the plane engulfed in flames, points to a high-impact event that left little chance for survival, emphasizing the need for thorough safety reviews in the aviation sector.
