Mumbai, March 7, 2026: In a devastating incident that shook Maharashtra’s political landscape, the Learjet 45XR aircraft carrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati airfield on January 28, 2026, claiming the lives of all five on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on February 28, 2026, highlighting critical safety lapses, including low visibility and deficiencies at the uncontrolled airfield. Drawing from the 22-page document and subsequent media coverage, here is the comprehensive analysis of the crash, its circumstances, and the ongoing investigation.

The Incident: A Fatal Landing Attempt

The ill-fated flight, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. under registration VT-SSK, departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) at approximately 8:09 AM IST (02:39 UTC). It was a non-scheduled VIP charter carrying Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, a cabin attendant, and two pilots. The destination was Baramati, Pawar’s hometown and a key political hub in Pune district.

The probable flight path for first approach and intitation of Go-Around | AAIB

According to the report, the aircraft attempted to land on Runway 11 at Baramati around 8:46 AM IST (03:16 UTC). Visibility was reported as 3 km by the temporary tower—well below the 5 km minimum required for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. Despite this, the crew proceeded with the approach. During the first attempt, the pilots reported visual contact with terrain but not the field, leading to a go-around. On the second approach, the aircraft reported the field in sight and received landing clearance with winds described as calm.

Probable Flight path of the Aircraft after initiating go-around | AAIB

CCTV footage from a nearby village captured the jet banking sharply to the right before impact. The plane struck trees, then crashed on the left side of the runway abeam the Runway 11 threshold, about 50 meters off the edge. The impact site was at a lower elevation than the runway, and the aircraft burst into flames, destroying the cockpit and cabin sections. All occupants perished due to multiple injuries associated with burns, as confirmed by post-mortem reports from P.A.H. Government Medical College, Baramati.

Screen Grab of CCTV footage from a nearby village captured the jet banking sharply to the right before impact.

The wreckage was scattered over a 309-foot area, with the empennage (tail section) being the most intact part recovered. Key components like engines, landing gear, and flaps were identified and mapped, showing the violent nature of the crash.

Faded Runway Markings at Runway-11 end | AAIB

Aircraft and Crew Details

The Learjet 45XR, serial number 417, was manufactured in 2010 by Bombardier and had accumulated 4,915:48 hours of flight time. It was powered by two Honeywell TFE731-20BR-1B engines, with no reported abnormalities from the previous flight on January 26 (Mumbai-Surat-Mumbai). The aircraft was airworthy, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and no Minimum Equipment List (MEL) items invoked. Fuel on board was approximately 5,000 lbs, well within the maximum usable limit of 6,062 lbs, and the take-off weight was 19,603 lbs against a maximum of 21,500 lbs.

The Pilot-in-Command (PIC), aged 61, held an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with 18,855 total hours, including 2,792:21 as PIC on type. The First Officer (FO), aged 25, was a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holder with 2,490:58 hours, mostly on type. Both had experience flying into Baramati and uncontrolled airfields, including VIP operations. Pre-flight breath analyzer tests were negative, conducted inside the aircraft due to its location.

Aerodrome and Weather Factors Under Scrutiny

Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield managed by Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) since August 2025. Primarily used for flying training by two organizations (Carver Aviation and Redbird), it also handles non-scheduled charters. The report flagged several deficiencies:

No navigational aids beyond two windsocks (both on the Runway 29 side; none for Runway 11).
Faded runway markings from the last re-carpeting in 2016, with loose gravel present.
Inadequate fencing and no boundary wall, raising security concerns.
No in-house Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit; services were requested from Baramati Municipal Corporation.
Temporary towers manned by flying school instructors/students using handheld radios.

Weather played a pivotal role. No dedicated MET facility exists at Baramati; visibility is estimated using markers like distant structures. Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DR showed shallow fog patches over Baramati, inferred from data between 03:15-03:42 UTC. Nearby Pune reported 2,000-2,500 m visibility with mist, while Mumbai had 2,500 m with haze/smoke.

The AAIB noted that the 3 km visibility reported violated VFR minima, yet the flight continued. This has sparked debate on adherence to regulations at uncontrolled fields.

Sequence of Events and Flight Recorders

The flight plan was filed for a 7:15 AM IST departure, but actual takeoff was at 8:09 AM. En route, the aircraft climbed to FL190 and descended under Pune ATC guidance. Communications with Baramati tower revealed runway preferences shifting from 29 to 11, requests for visibility, and the eventual go-around.

Flight data from the Solid-State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) has been downloaded and is under analysis. The Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) requires NTSB assistance due to thermal damage. Preliminary DFDR data maps the flight path, showing the go-around and fatal second approach.

Investigation Progress and Controversies

The AAIB, with NTSB and Bombardier experts, has seized documents, analyzed evidence, and shifted wreckage for examination. Parallel probes by Maharashtra CID are ongoing, as announced by Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, who confirmed work on the final report has begun.

However, controversy emerged when MLA Rohit Pawar (Ajit Pawar’s nephew) alleged factual errors in the report, claiming no trees exist near the airport and suspecting a cover-up. This has fueled speculation, though the AAIB maintains the report is preliminary and subject to change.

Interim Safety Recommendations

The report urges the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to:

Enforce strict VFR adherence and MET compliance at uncontrolled airfields.
Enhance oversight, including audits for safety standards.
Upgrade aids like windsocks, MET facilities, and consider licensing such airstrips for regulated operations.

Broader Implications

The crash underscores risks at smaller airfields, prompting calls for infrastructure upgrades. As the investigation unfolds, questions linger on whether low visibility, pilot decisions, or airfield shortcomings were primary causes. The final report, expected soon, may provide closure and drive systemic reforms

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Preliminary AAIB Report on Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Safety Lapses and Low Visibility Blamed for the Tragedy