A routine political trip turned tragic when a chartered Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport, Pune, killing all six on board. The victims included Ajit Pawar, two seasoned pilots—Captain Sumit Kapoor and Captain Shambhavi Pathak—and the Deputy Chief Minister’s personal security officer along with other crew members.
The aircraft had departed from Mumbai around 8 am and lost control during its landing attempt, triggering a massive fire and explosions. VSR Aviation officials confirmed the plane was well-maintained and technically fit. Preliminary reports indicate poor visibility may have contributed to the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a full investigation focusing on weather, flight operations, and technical factors.
