Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Questions That Still Have No Answers

The

sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati has left the state in shock and raised more questions than answers. As condolences pour in and investigations get underway, his uncle, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, urged restraint, asking that the tragedy not be given "political colour". Ajit Pawar Death News Live Updates Here .

Ajit Pawar Plane Crashes In Baramati

The Learjet 45 aircraft, registered VT-SSK and operated by VSR Aviation, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati when it crash-landed near the runway around 08:48 IST and burst into flames, killing all five people on board.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific. The aircraft appeared unstable as it descended, then exploded on impact, followed by several more blasts that turned the wreckage into a massive fireball. Villagers and responders were unable to pull anyone to safety because of the intensity of the blaze.

Even as investigators begin their work, questions remain unanswered about the final moments of the flight. Officials and aviation experts are probing the reasons behind the crash, but the sequence of events and the causes are still unclear.

If Visibility Was Poor, Why Was Flight Not Diverted?

Flight data suggests the Learjet first approached Baramati but did not land, reportedly due to low visibility, and attempted a second approach before crashing. Baramati’s runway is a smaller, uncontrolled airstrip without advanced landing aids, like an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which means pilots must rely on visual cues, especially in poor weather. Investigators are still trying to determine whether the decision to attempt a second landing was prudent. Was it the right call given the conditions? Or should the aircraft have been diverted to a larger airport with better navigational support?The answers are critical. The absence of sophisticated equipment at Baramati raises the question: should VIP flights be scheduled into such airfields in marginal weather?

What Happened After Landing Clearance?

According to early timelines, the aircraft contacted air traffic control, reported it could not see the runway, then initiated a go-around. Later it reported seeing the runway and was cleared to land, but there was no read-back confirmation from the crew before flames were observed near the runway. This sudden silence raises serious questions. Was there a loss of communication due to electrical failure? Did the crew face a sudden technical malfunction or cockpit emergency? Or did weather conditions change rapidly, leaving the pilots with too little time to respond? These are some of the unanswered questions AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) investigators now face.

Was the Aircraft Approach Stabilised?

Landing an aircraft safely requires a stable approach — the right speed, alignment and descent rate. Preliminary reports suggest the Learjet’s approach might have been unstable, possibly too fast or steep, which could have made a safe touchdown unlikely.But why was the approach unstable? Was it pilot error, or were there external factors such as wind shear or visibility issues that disrupted the descent? The crash site being close to the runway threshold suggests the aircraft may have struck the ground before fully lined up — but this has not been confirmed by investigators.

Mechanical or Weather Causes?

Another crucial question is whether there was any mechanical failure. The aircraft was 16 years old but had valid certifications and regular maintenance checks, according to DGCA records. Investigators will need to analyse flight controls, engines, avionics and any possible system errors. At the same time, weather data and eyewitness accounts indicate visibility might have been poor. Baramati lies in a region that could see fog or low clouds in January, making visual landings more challenging.Without weather radar or formal guidance systems, pilots have to make judgement calls — and this accident shows how thin the margin for error can be.

Final Data: Flight Recorders and Cockpit Conversations

The most definitive answers will come from flight data and cockpit voice recorders. These instruments can show exactly what the aircraft was doing in the final moments, and what the pilots said and heard as they tried to land. Investigators will also study tower recordings, maintenance logs and weather reports to build a complete picture.For now, Maharashtra and India grapple with grief over the loss of a senior leader and his team. But technical investigations will take time, and only when they are complete, will some of these unanswered questions be resolved.(With inputs from agencies)