Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Wreckage of Learjet 45 Cleared Near Baramati Runway

Pune/Baramati: On the fifth day after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s tragic plane crash, the wreckage of his chartered Learjet 45 was removed from near the Baramati runway on Sunday. Using cranes, the damaged aircraft parts were lifted onto a large trailer and cleared from the site. The areas where the debris fell were marked, and burnt fragments were collected for forensic investigation.

Ajit Pawar’s private jet had taken off at 8:10 AM on 28 January, but crashed at 8:44 AM, killing all five onboard. Immediately after the accident, multiple investigations were launched. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team arrived from Delhi on the same day, accompanied by DGCA officers, while the Maharashtra government handed over the case to the CID for a legal probe.

Investigation Status
AAIB is leading a technical investigation, headed by G.V.G. Yugandhar, with DGCA support. The Maharashtra CID is investigating legal aspects, including accidental death considerations. The aircraft’s black box has been recovered. Initial findings suggest that poor visibility and heavy fog contributed to the crash, though diversion to Pune airport was a possible alternative. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has assured a thorough inquiry.

This incident marks the second major aviation accident in India in recent months, following last year’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad.