Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Pilot Spoke to ATC, No SOS Issued
New details have surfaced in the fatal aircraft crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others in Baramati on Wednesday. According to officials familiar with the investigation, the aircraft captain spoke to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments before the crash and confirmed that the runway was visible. However, the pilot did not issue any SOS or distress signal. The Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport, around 250 km from Mumbai, where Pawar planned to address a rural poll rally later that day.
Flames, Smoke, and No Survivors
Soon after the crash, thick plumes of smoke rose from the wreckage, as videos from the site showed the aircraft engulfed in flames. Tragically, none of the five people onboard survived. Earlier that morning, Pawar had departed Mumbai for his family stronghold of Baramati. The flight appeared routine until its final moments. As a result, the incident sent shockwaves through political and aviation circles, especially because the pilot had reported normal runway visibility shortly before impact.
ATC Confirms Final Communication With Pilot
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that two flying schools—Redbird Aviation and Carver Aviation—operate ATC services at Baramati airport on alternate days. On Wednesday, Carver Aviation handled ATC operations. Its manager, Pramesh Parikh, said the aircraft was scheduled to land at 8:50 am. “The captain told us the runway was visible,” Parikh said. “Baramati has a 1,770-metre runway. We did not see the aircraft touch down, but we heard the crash.” However, he added that changing visibility conditions may have played a role. Additionally, eyewitnesses said the pilot attempted a go-around, a standard aviation manoeuvre, shortly before the crash.
Crew Identified as Probe Intensifies
Captain Sumit Kapoor and first officer Shambavi Pathak flew the Learjet 45, which took off from Mumbai at 8:10 am. Pinky Mali served as the flight attendant, while Pawar’s personal security officer, Vidhit Jadhav, travelled as the fifth passenger. Meanwhile, authorities moved quickly to begin a detailed probe into the crash. Baramati airport, built by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation in 1996, earlier operated under Reliance Airport Developers before the Maharashtra Airport Development Company took over. Therefore, investigators will now examine flight data, weather conditions, and runway operations to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
