The aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, went down at around 8.48 am while attempting to land after taking off from Mumbai. Air Traffic Control sources said the jet burst into flames following the crash, making rescue operations extremely difficult.
Besides Pawar, four others, including two crew members and two personnel, were on board the aircraft, a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said. Rescue and recovery teams were deployed at the site, and operations were ongoing at the time of reporting.
This is the second aviation incident involving a Learjet 45 XR owned by VSR Ventures in Maharashtra in the past two-and-a-half years. Officials recalled a similar accident on September 14, 2023, when another company-owned jet, registered as VT-DBL, crash-landed at Mumbai airport.
That aircraft was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight from Visakhapatnam and encountered heavy rain and poor visibility during landing. Officials said the jet drifted off Runway 27 during touchdown.
Flight data indicated that shortly after the autopilot was disengaged, the cockpit recorded stall warnings and terrain alerts, following which the aircraft crash-landed near the intersection of taxiways. The fuselage split into two parts and a fire broke out, though all occupants were evacuated with injuries and no fatalities were reported.
Eyewitnesses at the Baramati crash site on Wednesday described hearing four to five loud explosions as the aircraft hit the ground and caught fire.
Authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the latest crash. The reported death of Ajit Pawar has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles, with further official confirmation awaited.
Live updates on the Baramati plane crash are being monitored as more details emerge.
