Ajit Pawar Death: The tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has not only shaken the state's political landscape but also raised serious questions around the safety of the Learjet 45 aircraft he was travelling in. The tragedy, which occurred after a crash-landing at Baramati Airport, has reopened the files of past accidents involving th jet.

The DGCA's initial report confirmed that the crashed aircraft was a Learjet 45. Aviation experts and investigative agencies have since focused on the record of this mid-size business jet, which has been involved in several fatal accidents over the past two decades.

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About Learjet 45

The Learjet 45 was introduced by Canadian aerospace company Bombardier in the late 1990s. It was very popular for charter flights, government travel, and medical evacuations. Production continued until 2007, when it was replaced by an upgraded version, the Learjet 45XR, which continued until 2012.

However, its popularity has been accompanied by a string of accidents, particularly during takeoff and landing, in poor weather, or on challenging runways.

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Baramati Tragedy

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati for a private event when his plane crashed at around 8:45 am on Wednesday. The plane crash-landed at the airport, killing five people, including Pawar.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, and a detailed report from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is awaited. However, this accident has once again put the Learjet 45's long-standing record under scrutiny.

Accidents Involving Learjet 45

  • A Learjet 45 skidded off the runway after landing in Jalapa, Mexico, in October 2023. The plane was completely destroyed, although all seven people on board were rescued safely.
  • A month earlier, in September 2023, a Learjet 45 skidded off the runway at Mumbai Airport during heavy rain, broke into two pieces, and caught fire. All eight passengers survived, but several others were injured. An investigation cited bad weather and low visibility as the causes.
  • In February 2021, a Mexican Air Force Learjet 45 crashed shortly after takeoff. The plane lost altitude, struck trees, and crashed into a field, bursting into flames. All six military personnel on board were killed.
  • In November 2008, a major accident occurred in Mexico City involving a government Learjet 45. Caught in wake turbulence created by the larger aircraft, the jet crashed. Nine passengers and seven people on the ground were killed. Among the dead were several senior officials, including the country's Interior Minister.
  • A Learjet 45XR was badly damaged while landing on an icy runway at Telluride Airport in the US in January 2009. All passengers survived, but the aircraft was heavily damaged.
  • In June 2003, a Learjet 45 collided with a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from Milan Linate Airport in Italy. Both engines failed, and the plane crashed into a factory. Both pilots were killed in the accident.