A Learjet 45 aircraft, registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR, crash-landed at Baramati Airport on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic deaths of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft was making its second attempt to land when it lost control at the edge of the airport’s tabletop runway, as confirmed by the flight-tracking platform FlightRadar24.
FlightRadar24 announced the incident, stating, “Indian media reporting the crash of a business jet this morning has claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed.” The five individuals on board included crew members, and the deceased were identified as Vidit Jadhav, the Deputy CM’s personal security officer; pilots Sumit Kapoor and Sambhavi Pathak; and flight assistant Pinki Mali.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the jet may have faced landing gear issues, a concern that has been previously highlighted by Learjet. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had recently called for urgent inspections of the main landing gear on various Learjet models due to safety concerns.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for information about Pawar’s death. Paying tribute on social media, PM Modi expressed that Ajit Pawar was a dedicated leader with substantial grassroots connections, widely respected for his commitment to serving the people of Maharashtra and empowering the underprivileged.
The incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols in aviation, especially concerning aircraft that have reported recurring technical issues. Further investigations are pending to ascertain the precise causes of the crash and to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/ajit-pawar-death-chartered-jet-hit-edge-of-baramati-tabletop-runway-in-second-attempt-to-land-says-report-13973317.html
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Publish Date: 2026-01-28 12:28:00
