Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister were travelling to his hometown for election meetings when the chartered Learjet overshot the runway and crashed, leaving no survivors: senior political leaders paid their condolences
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning after the aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. He was 66.
According to preliminary information confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Learjet 45 aircraft, registered as VT-SSK and chartered from Mumbai, veered off the runway during landing and burst into flames. There were no survivors.
Besides Pawar, those killed in the crash included his security personnel Vidhit Jadhav, pilots Sumit Kapur and Shambhavi Pathak, and another passenger, Pinki Jadhav. A close aide, Kiran Gujar, who was present at the local hospital, confirmed that all six occupants were brought dead.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware said the aircraft was attempting to land on runway 11 when it veered off the runway and crashed. The airport, operated by a private entity, was recently handed over to the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
Pawar had left his Mumbai residence early Tuesday and was heading to his hometown, Baramati, where he was scheduled to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The crash occurred at around 8:48 am, moments before the planned engagements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy, condoling the loss of lives in the crash. In a message, he said, “His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut described the death as “unbelievable”, calling it a tragic coincidence that Baramati, he said. “It is a weird coincidence that the Baramati, which is so close to his heart, is the same place he took his last breath.” “Maharashtra is in deep pain,” Raut said, lamenting the loss of senior leadership.
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash. Further information is awaited as forensic and aviation experts examine the wreckage.
