Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu revealed poor visibility at Baramati airport when Ajit Pawar's plane crashed Wednesday morning. The pilot initially reported runway not in sight, prompting a go-around, but confirmed visibility during the second attempt before the tragic crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will analyze flight recorders, aircraft systems, crew records, and ATC data. Opposition leaders, led by Mamata Banerjee, demand Supreme Court-monitored probe, alleging compromised agencies. The VSR Ventures flight departed Mumbai at 8:10 AM, disappearing from radar at 8:45 AM. Witnesses described the aircraft appearing unstable before crash-landing with massive explosions. Maharashtra declared three days mourning; last rites scheduled Thursday with full state honors.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s aircraft was cleared to land at Baramati airport at 8:43 am on January 28, 2026, just a minute before it crashed in flames, killing all five on board, the civil aviation ministry said. The Bombardier Learjet 45 had initially attempted a landing but went around after reporting the runway wasn’t in sight. On the second approach, ATC granted landing clearance but did not receive the required readback from the pilots; moments later flames were spotted near runway 11. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has taken over the probe. (PC: HT)

Details of the last phone call made by flight attendant Pinky Mali have emerged after the plane crash near Baramati that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Pinky told her father she was flying with Pawar to Baramati and would speak to him the next day. The call never came. The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crashed while attempting to land near Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. The plane had five people on board, including two pilots and a security officer. It departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and lost radar contact minutes before the crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. (PC: NDTV)

A Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati airport on Wednesday, killing all five on board. The Civil Aviation Ministry said the aircraft was attempting a second landing at the time of the crash. Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, where pilots manage traffic with limited ground support. The pilot was cleared to land at 8.34 am but did not provide a mandatory readback confirming the clearance. Earlier, the first landing attempt was aborted due to the runway not being visible, prompting a go-around. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft stopped transmitting signals minutes before impact. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. (PC: NDTV)

The fatal plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has brought renewed attention to charter operator VSR Aviation, which was linked to a similar Learjet incident in 2023. The Learjet 45XR that crashed near Baramati on Wednesday was operated by VSR Ventures, a Delhi-based firm. In September 2023, another VSR-operated Learjet 45XR veered off a runway while landing in Mumbai during heavy rain and broke into two. All passengers survived that incident. Aviation regulators have launched probes into the Baramati crash. Officials are examining operational, weather, and safety records linked to both incidents as part of the ongoing investigation.

CCTV footage from near Baramati airport has captured the final moments of the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday. The visuals show the Learjet aircraft descending sharply before hitting the ground nose-first and erupting into flames within seconds. Thick black smoke and fire are seen rising from the crash site soon after impact. Officials said all five people on board died as the aircraft caught fire immediately after the failed landing attempt. Preliminary information suggests the jet was trying to land for the second time. Investigators are examining the footage to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Pilot Shambhavi Pathak was among five people killed when a private aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati on Wednesday. Pathak was serving as first officer on the Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures and was flying from Mumbai to Baramati. The aircraft went down minutes before its scheduled landing. Pathak had been associated with VSR Ventures since 2022 and held multiple aviation licences, including a commercial pilot licence from India and New Zealand. She had also worked as a flying instructor. The crash killed all five on board, including Pawar, another pilot, a flight attendant, and a security officer. Investigations are ongoing. (PC: X)

The pilot of the aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar spoke to Air Traffic Control about a visible runway shortly before the plane crashed near Baramati on Wednesday, officials said. No distress call or SOS was issued. The aircraft was scheduled to land around 8.50 am while approaching the Baramati airport, where ATC services were managed by a private aviation school that day. Officials said the pilot may have attempted a go-around, a standard aviation procedure. The aircraft went down moments later and caught fire. All five people on board, including Pawar, died in the crash. Investigators are examining weather and visibility conditions. (PC: X)

The aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar flew for about 35 minutes before crashing near Baramati, flight tracking data showed. The Learjet 45 took off from Mumbai airport around 8:10 am and disappeared from radar shortly before landing. Officials said all five people on board were killed, including Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two pilots. The jet was operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Aviation. Data showed the aircraft made a loop to align with the runway before the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed the details. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the cause of the accident. (PC: The Indian Express, X)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday, officials said. Four others on board were also killed in the accident. Initial reports said the plane lost control during landing and caught fire after impact. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft was making a second approach to the runway when it went down. The Learjet 45 was carrying Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Pawar had left Mumbai earlier in the morning and was scheduled to attend political events in Baramati. Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash. (PC: NDTV)