• Source:JND

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on Wednesday morning after a chartered Learjet 45 crash-landed at Baramati airport, officials said. The deceased have been identified as Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali, Sumit Kapoor, and Shambhavi Pathak. The aircraft crew comprised Captain Sumit Kapoor, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC), and First Officer (FO) Shambhavi Pathak.

The VSR Aviation jet, bearing registration number VT-SSK, had taken off from Mumbai earlier on Wednesday. Officials said the aircraft went out of control during its approach to Runway 11 at around 8:45 am, crashing near the runway end before bursting into flames. Rescue and emergency teams were quickly deployed, but none of the five people on board survived. Authorities have launched a probe to determine the exact cause of the accident.

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All About Ajit Pawar’s Pilot Who Died In Plan Crash With Him

First Officer (FO) Shambhavi Pathak

1. Shambhavi Pathak was the daughter of an Army officer and came from a strong academic background in aviation.

2. She studied at Air Force Bal Bharati School during her early education.

3. She later completed her graduation in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology from the University of Mumbai.

4. She also received professional flight training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. 

Sumit Kapoor the Pilot-In-Command (PIC)

1. Sumit Kapoor, the Pilot-in-Command, had over 16,000 flying hours and previously served with major airlines such as Sahara, Jet Airways, and Jetline before joining VSR Aviation.

2. As the PIC, he led the flight crew and took key operational decisions, especially during critical phases like take-off and landing.

3. Based in Delhi, Kapoor was described by VSR Aviation as a trusted senior jet pilot and a close colleague; reports also mention that his son is a pilot with the same company.

4. Learjet 45 aircraft owned by VSR Ventures, bearing registration number VT-SSK. The aircraft had a total weight of 9,752 kilograms.

DGCA

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said a detailed investigation has been initiated to establish the circumstances leading to the accident. This includes a technical assessment of the aircraft and a review of flight operations and weather conditions at the time of landing.

ALSO READ: Ajit Pawar Death: CCTV Footage Shows NCP Leader's Chartered Plane Crash And Burst Into Flames At Baramati Airport | Video

Ajit Pawar was a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics. At the time of the incident, he was serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His death has sent shockwaves across the state’s political and administrative circles.


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