Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash. In the accident that occurred in Baramati, his Personal Security Officer HC Vidip Jadhav, pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, Captain Sambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali also lost their lives.
Before the crash, the main pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor did not issue a Mayday call. However, the last recorded words of the co-pilot, Captain Sambhavi Pathak, were: “Oh shit… oh shit.”
First Landing Attempt Failed Due to Fog
Visibility was low in the morning due to fog. The pilots attempted to land the aircraft on Runway-11 at Baramati Airport, but they could not see the runway.
Plane Flipped Before Touching the Runway on Second Attempt
After aborting the first landing, the pilots climbed again and made a second attempt shortly after. This time, the aircraft moved toward the runway but flipped and hit the ground before touching it.
Eyewitnesses: “It Looked Like an Accident Was About to Happen”
Several villagers living near Baramati Airport saw the aircraft before the crash. One eyewitness said the plane crashed about 100 meters before reaching the runway. As the aircraft was descending, it already appeared that an accident was imminent — and that is exactly what happened.
Multiple Explosions After Impact
According to eyewitnesses, the plane exploded upon hitting the runway and caught fire. After the initial explosion, 4–5 more blasts were heard.
Fire Prevented Rescue Efforts
Seeing flames and thick smoke rising from the airport, local residents ran toward the crash site. Villagers tried to rescue those onboard, but the fire was so intense that they could not help.
Aircraft Debris Fell Into Homes
Another villager said the plane first passed over the village, then descended below village level. It flipped on the runway and crashed into the ground. After the explosions, aircraft debris flew and landed near their houses.
Ajit Pawar’s Last Phone Call
Ajit Pawar’s nephew and BJP MLA Ranjgitsingh Patil said that Pawar had spoken to him on the phone before the accident. Before boarding the aircraft, Ajit Pawar told him that he would call again after landing.
Ajit Pawar had departed from Mumbai at 8:10 AM on Wednesday. At 8:45 AM, his chartered aircraft crashed while landing at Baramati Airport. He was traveling to Baramati to address a public meeting for the Maharashtra panchayat elections.
All bodies have been recovered from the site, though formal identification is still pending.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun its investigation. One team has gone to Baramati, while another team has reached the Delhi office of the aircraft operator company, VSR Ventures.
