The VSR Ventures-operated Learjet 45 was attempting to land at Baramati, an uncontrolled airfield, when it made two unsuccessful landing attempts after the pilots failed to visually locate the runway. Moments later, the aircraft crashed near the runway threshold and burst into flames.
Ajit Pawar, his security officer Vidip Jadhav, pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapur, first officer Captain Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali were all killed in the crash.
Timeline of the Final Moments
Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed that the aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8:10 am and made first contact with Baramati air traffic coordination at 8:18 am. Over the next 20 minutes, the jet gradually descended while approaching the airfield.
According to the ministry’s release, when the aircraft was 30 nautical miles from Baramati, pilots were advised to descend in visual meteorological conditions at their discretion. They were informed that winds were calm and visibility was approximately 3,000 metres.
During the first landing attempt, the crew reported that the runway was not in sight and executed a go-around. On the second attempt, air traffic coordination again asked if the runway was visible. The pilots replied that it was still “currently not in sight” and said they would call once they had visual contact.
At 8:43 am, the pilots confirmed seeing the runway and were granted landing clearance. However, the ministry noted that the crew did not provide a standard readback of the clearance.
Just a minute later, at 8:44 am, ground personnel observed a fireball near the threshold of Runway 11. Emergency teams were immediately dispatched. The wreckage was later found on the left side of the runway, abeam the threshold.
Early Probe Findings
A senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official familiar with the preliminary investigation said the aircraft crashed significantly short of the runway threshold but remained within the airstrip perimeter.
“There were no flames prior to touchdown,” the official said, adding that the last words heard from the cockpit were reportedly, “oh s***.”
Industry experts pointed out that a visibility of 3,000 metres should not normally pose a problem for a fixed-wing aircraft landing under visual conditions.
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) official also highlighted that reading back landing clearance is a standard aviation practice, as it confirms the pilot has correctly understood instructions from air traffic control.
Funeral Details
Ajit Pawar, a senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, will be laid to rest in his home constituency of Baramati. His funeral is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Thursday.
