Ajit Pawar Death News: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died in a plane crash in Pune's Baramati on Wednesday morning, prompting authorities to launch a probe to find the actual cause of the incident. The preliminary probe reportedly suggested the plane crashed due to a possible pilot error during a landing in poor visibility.

What Exactly Might Have Happened?

According to an NDTV report, the initial analysis of the plane crash suggests that the pilot may have misjudged the situation. The plane could have been diverted amid poor visibility. The aircraft could have been diverted to Pune, but the pilot still decided to land in Baramati, the report suggested. He attempted to correct the aircraft's trajectory, but this attempt failed due to the plane's speed and position. It was the aircraft's second landing attempt that led to the crash.

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Pressure to land on time is common in VIP flights and helicopter operations is common. Such an approach at an uncontrolled airfield is considered risky, especially when the runway was not visible just minutes before.

Investigators are now examining the flight alignment, the aircraft's distance from the runway, and the sequence of events to determine exactly what went wrong and at what point it led to this tragic accident.

Ajit Pawar departed from Mumbai around 8 AM in a Learjet 45 belonging to VSR Ventures, a Delhi-based company. He was scheduled to address four election rallies in his hometown of Baramati ahead of the local body elections. The accident occurred around 8:45 AM at Baramati Airport during the second landing attempt.

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The Flight Radar showed that the aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from radar around 8.45 am. Superintendent of Police, Sandip Singh Gill, said that people onboard were immediately taken to the hospital after the crash.

Centre Replies To CM Fadnavis On Probe

Meanwhile, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu replied to a letter from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Here Are The Highlights Of The Reply

  • The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated an investigation.
  • The aircraft’s black box has been taken into custody.
  • As per the Aircraft Accident and Incident Rules, the investigation has begun and will be conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner.
  • All technical records, operational details, and facts from the accident site are being examined.
  • The Ministry has taken note of your request to prevent such incidents in the future, and appropriate measures will be implemented once the investigation report is received.
  • Cooperation from the Maharashtra government will be valuable for this inquiry, and assistance from the local administration will be required.
  • The complete investigation report will also be shared with the state government.

How The Sequence Of Events Unfolded

  • According to a person manning the ATC, the aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact with Baramati at 0818 IST.
  • The aircraft's next call was at 30 NM inbound to Baramati, and they were released by Pune approach.
  • Pilots were advised to descend in Visual Meteorological conditions at pilot's discretion.
  • The crew enquired about the winds and visibility and they were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3000 mts.
  • Next the aircraft reported on the final approach of Runway 11 and the runway was not in sight to them.
  • They initiated a go-around in the first approach.
  • After Go Around, the aircraft was asked about its position and crew reported on final approach of runway 11.
  • The crew was asked to report runway in sight. They replied “runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight".
  • After a few seconds they reported that the runway is in sight.
  • The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 0843IST, however, they did not give a readback of the landing clearance.
  • Next, the ATC saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 0844 IST.

(With Jagran.com inputs)