A Learjet 45 aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed today, January 28, during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport. This incident is particularly alarming, as it follows a previous accident involving the same aircraft model, registration VT-DBL, at Mumbai Airport last September. During that incident, the Learjet veered off Runway 27 and fractured upon impact amid heavy rainfall; all six occupants survived, though the pilots sustained serious injuries.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation through the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding both occurrences. The AAIB’s probe into the September incident noted several critical factors, including deteriorating weather conditions and reduced visibility, which contributed to the crash. Key issues highlighted were “runway drift, autopilot disengagement, stick shaker activation, and stall warnings.”
In the latest incident, the Learjet 45 was cleared for landing in Baramati on Wednesday after conducting a go-around prompted by poor visibility. However, it is reported that the aircraft did not acknowledge the Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance. Shortly thereafter, the plane erupted into flames as it approached the runway. Notably, Baramati Airport operates as an ‘uncontrolled airfield,’ lacking a comprehensive instrument landing system for low-visibility settings, with traffic guidance typically provided by instructors from local flying training organizations.
The sequence of events unfolded as follows: the aircraft, identified as VI-SSK, made initial contact with Baramati ATC at 8:18 AM. Following their descent instructions, the crew inquired about weather conditions and learned that visibility was approximately 3,000 meters with calm winds.
As the Learjet reported its approach to Runway 11, it encountered low visibility and initiated a go-around. After the go-around, the pilots informed ATC that they still did not have visual confirmation of the runway. The aircraft finally reported seeing the runway shortly before the crash but failed to provide an acknowledgment of its landing clearance, given at 8:43 AM. Just a minute later, ATC observed flames at the threshold of Runway 11 and dispatched emergency services to the scene.
The loss of an aircraft carrying such a significant political figure raises numerous concerns about aviation safety protocols and the operational capabilities of uncontrolled airfields. As investigations unfold, the focus will undoubtedly sharpen on the procedures followed during these critical moments and how they can be improved to prevent future incidents.
Further updates are expected as the AAIB continues its analysis and the Ministry of Civil Aviation reports its findings. This tragic event echoes a need for stricter safety measures and enhanced training to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
[Tags: Learjet 45 crash, Ajit Pawar, Baramati Airport, aviation safety, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, aviation news]
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/learjet-45-ajit-pawars-plane-which-crashed-today-had-faced-similar-landing-incident-in-mumbai-in-2023-11769600325253.html
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Publish Date: 2026-01-28 17:54:00
