
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.