Ajit Pawar Death: Aircraft Probe Body Flags Low Visibility And Safety Gaps At Baramati Airport

Last Updated:February 28, 2026, 18:58 IST

Ajit Pawar and four others died in a Learjet 45 crash at Baramati airport due to low visibility below VFR minima.

The initial investigation into the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has revealed that visibility at Baramati airport was low on January 28.

The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati when it crashed while trying to land at the airfield, killing all five people on board, including Ajit Pawar.

According to the report, on the day of the accident, the tower was manned by a ground instructor of one of the FTO who was communicating with the aircraft to assist the landing. The crew of VT-SSK asked for visibility while approaching Baramati for which the tower replied as 3000 meters by looking at the visibility markers.

While giving the landing clearance, the tower informed winds as calm. Hence, the visibility reported at Baramati at the time of landing of aircraft was well below the minima required for VFR flight which is 5000 meters (5 Km), said the report.

Baramati Airport is an uncontrolled airstrip without a full air traffic control tower, which means pilots rely largely on visual cues and local traffic information while landing.

According to the investigation report, the aircraft was attempting to land on Runway 11 at Baramati after receiving landing clearance from the tower. However, the aircraft crash-landed to the left side of the runway near the threshold of Runway 11.

Meanwhile, the crash on January 28 triggered widespread shock across Maharashtra, with authorities promising a detailed probe into the incident.

Following his demise, his wife, Sunetra Pawar, took charge as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra and NCP supremo.

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