The tragic plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has triggered a major political and investigative response, as new footage and expert theories add fresh layers to the unfolding mystery.
On Wednesday morning, Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati in a Learjet 45 business aircraft (VT-SSK) along with four others, his personal security officer Vidhit Jadhav, pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur, first officer Shambhavi Pathak and cabin crew member Pinky Mali. The aircraft crashed while attempting to land, killing all five on board.
The Maharashtra government has ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in addition to the investigation already launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Police have also registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR). Officials said CID typically steps in when influential public figures die in major accidents.
A newly surfaced CCTV video has captured the aircraft’s final moments. The footage reportedly shows the jet banking sharply mid-air, with its left wing dipping suddenly before it crashes in a massive explosion and fireball. The video has sparked intense discussion among aviation experts and the public.
Based on preliminary visuals, three main theories are being examined: an aerodynamic stall, an engine failure, or a late attempt to align with the runway involving a steep bank angle. Aviation consultant Mark D Martin noted that the Learjet 45 is a high-speed aircraft and can be difficult to control at low speeds during landing, especially if one engine fails, potentially pulling the aircraft to one side.
Authorities have recovered the aircraft’s black box, which will be crucial in determining the exact sequence of events. Early inputs from officials familiar with the probe suggest the last words heard from the cockpit were “oh s***,” indicating a sudden emergency situation.
Beyond the investigation, Pawar’s death has created a political vacuum within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with discussions already underway about future leadership. As Maharashtra mourns a powerful leader, all eyes are now on the findings of the technical and CID probes to uncover what truly caused the deadly crash.
