While Maharashtra mourns the unexpected demise of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, questions are raised about how his plane, a Learjet 45, operated by VSR, crashed. As per the DGCA, six people, including Pawar, died in the accident, which occurred just before the plane was about to land.
As per reports, the chartered Learjet 45 left Mumbai around 8:10 am towards Baramathi, where Pawar was slated to attend multiple election rallies ahead of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
The aircraft was attempting to land at Baramati airport when the ATC received information about the crash, at around 9:10 am.
The plane crashed into an open field near the runway, hinting that there was some technical glitch. Though unconfirmed, reports are that the plane landed belly up in the field, catching fire in the impact within seconds.
Other reports quoting airport officials stated that the plane crashed upon landing and broke apart after overshooting the runway.
A source told PTI that the aircraft pilot had mentioned about poor visibility near the runway, before the aircraft attempted the landing.
Visuals from the field show large plumes of smoke rising from the spot. The wreckage was scattered across the area, with flames and thick smoke billowing after the crash.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an investigation into the accident. The technical or other reasons for the plane's crash will be determined only after the investigation. A DCGA officials said they are also studying the wreckage distribution.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness has stated that the flight fell 100 feet before approaching the runway. "When the aircraft descended, it seemed it would crash, and it did.