What Went Wrong In Baramati? Final ATC Message Hints At What Caused Fatal Crash Of Ajit Pawar's Plane

New Delhi: A chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in the Pune district early Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board, officials confirmed. 

The aircraft had taken off from Mumbai around 8:10 am and was scheduled to land at Baramati at 8:50 am. However, it crashed approximately 45 minutes after take-off during its final approach to the runway.

Following the crash, a massive fire broke out at the crash site, and while reportedly all five people on board were initially evacuated, they were critically injured and later succumbed to their injuries.

Dense fog and loss of course during landing

According to the preliminary investigation, dense fog conditions were reported in and around Baramati at the time of the landing attempt, and visibility was reportedly severely reduced, affecting the pilot’s ability to maintain the aircraft’s intended course.

Further, sources indicated that the aircraft was unable to align itself properly with the runway and kept drifting to the right during the landing approach. In an attempt to correct its course, the plane reportedly steered right but crashed at the edge of the airport.

Preliminary assessments also suggest that the aircraft may have overrun the runway while attempting to land. 

However, the exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained and will only be confirmed after a detailed technical investigation.

Black box key to findings, Civil aviation ministry seeks Report

The Maharashtra Police has stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the plane crash to determine its exact cause. 

 Investigators will carry out a meticulous examination of the wreckage, including taking detailed photographs, to determine the aircraft’s speed, trajectory, and angle of impact.

The aircraft’s black box will be analysed to assess the aircraft's technical condition and airworthiness at the time of the flight. Officials will also review all pre-flight maintenance records. 

Additionally, the Cockpit Voice Recorder will be examined to understand the pilots’ final conversations, decisions, and responses during the landing attempt. Communication between the pilots and air traffic control will be reviewed, as the pilotes contacted them before the crash, alongside weather data, runway conditions, and wind direction.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has sought a detailed report on the crash and has directed the DGCA to submit its findings at the earliest. 

About Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra non-consecutively. He served in the position for six terms within various governments. He had worked as deputy chief minister in the cabinets of Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde

Ajit Pawar was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.