On January 28, 2026, a charter aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district, leaving no survivors. The tragedy has shaken the state, and authorities have now recovered the aircraft’s black box, a critical step in uncovering what exactly went wrong moments before the crash.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: What Happened in the Baramati Plane Crash?
The Bombardier Learjet 45, chartered from Mumbai and carrying Pawar, two pilots, a flight attendant, and a security officer, was on approach to land at Baramati when it crash-landed near the runway and burst into flames. All five people onboard were killed.
Initial reports suggest that visibility was poor during the final approach to Baramati’s runway, a location without a full air traffic control tower, relying instead on local traffic advisories.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Black Box Recovered
Investigators located and retrieved the “black box”, the combined flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, from the wreckage. This device is painted bright orange to improve visibility in crash debris and is built to withstand severe impact and heat.
Once examined by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the black box will reveal crucial flight information and cockpit conversations from the final minutes. This data can help clarify whether technical failure, weather, or human error contributed to the crash.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Why the Black Box Matters
The flight data recorder logs:
- Altitude, speed, and aircraft control settings
- Engine performance and system status
- Other technical parameters during the flight
- The cockpit voice recorder captures:
- Communications between pilots
- ATC (air traffic control) interactions
- Sounds and alarms in the cockpit
All of this information will be key to establishing the sequence of events leading to the crash, something authorities have said they will determine “strictly in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures.”
Probe Underway: DGCA and AAIB Actions
Teams from the DGCA and AAIB were dispatched immediately to the crash site. Officials are documenting the wreckage, examining flight records, and photographing evidence.
Authorities have highlighted that:
- The aircraft executed an initial go-around because the runway was not in sight.
- On the second approach, the crew reported the runway in sight before the aircraft crashed.
- The runway lacked sophisticated landing aids, and visibility conditions were reportedly marginal at the time.
Investigators are also reviewing:
- Radar and communication logs with ATC
- Maintenance records of the aircraft
- Weather and visibility conditions during landing
Eyewitness Accounts and Crash Scene
Witnesses at the Baramati site described how the jet flew unusually low before losing control and crashing. Smoke, fire, and explosions made immediate rescue attempts impossible.
Following the crash, state leaders and supporters have paid tribute to Ajit Pawar’s long political career. The deputy CM’s funeral with full state honours is being held in Baramati, where local crowds and officials have gathered to remember him.
