Baramati, Jan 29 — Maharashtra is in shock following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash near Baramati Airport on Wednesday. The accident also claimed the lives of four others, including two pilots, a personal security officer, and a flight attendant. Pawar, 66, leaves behind his wife and two sons, and a political legacy that shaped the cooperative and developmental landscape of Maharashtra for nearly four decades.
In response, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has intensified its probe. Preliminary reports suggest that poor visibility and the lack of advanced navigational aids at the Baramati airstrip may have contributed to the crash. The aircraft reportedly went down during its second landing attempt.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has constituted a three-member committee, including officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the AAIB. The Black Box, comprising the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), has been recovered. Investigators are now analyzing the data to reconstruct the flight’s final moments and determine the precise cause. The probe is being conducted under AAIB Rules 2025, focusing on visibility conditions, pilot decision-making, operational limitations, and uncontrolled runway factors.
Forensic procedures are underway at the crash site, with the expert team collecting wreckage, aircraft documentation, maintenance logs, and crew certifications.
Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar was cremated with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan ground. Thousands of supporters lined the streets of Baramati, chanting “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe,” as his remains, draped in the National Tricolour, were carried on a flower-decked military vehicle. A police guard of honour and gun salute marked the official farewell.
Top political leaders from across India attended, reflecting Pawar’s cross-party influence and longstanding contribution to Maharashtra politics. The state continues to grieve the loss of one of its most prominent and enduring leaders as the investigation into the crash proceeds.
