Baramati Plane Crash CCTV Footage: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar died on Tuesday morning after the chartered aircraft he was travelling in crashed during landing at Baramati airport. The tragic incident claimed the lives of five people, including Pawar and crew members, and has left the state in deep shock.
CCTV footage from a nearby establishment captured the terrifying final moments of the aircraft. The visuals show the plane descending rapidly before crashing behind a small structure and erupting into a massive fireball within seconds. Thick smoke and repeated explosions followed, making rescue efforts impossible.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Bombardier Learjet 45 was flying from Mumbai to Baramati when it attempted to land at around 8:45 am. Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft made an earlier approach but aborted the landing, before crashing during its second attempt. Eyewitnesses reported hearing four to five loud explosions after the impact.
Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections. Just hours before the crash, he had attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in Mumbai, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Several senior ministers and officials were present at that meeting.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has constituted a special team to investigate the crash. Officials confirmed that the probe will include the recovery and analysis of the flight data recorder, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, and Digital Engine Electronic System. Aircraft maintenance records, engine logbooks, and crew documents will also be scrutinized to determine the cause of the accident.
The aircraft involved was a 16-year-old Bombardier Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures, which manages a fleet of 17 aircraft. The operator stated that the jet had no known technical issues and described it as fully airworthy, adding that the flight crew was experienced. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether technical failure, weather conditions, or human error played a role.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced three days of state mourning across Maharashtra in honour of Ajit Pawar’s contributions to public life. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings, and official events will remain subdued during the mourning period. Political leaders across party lines expressed grief, describing Pawar as a decisive and fearless administrator.
Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures and the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of the state, having held the post six times across different governments. He represented the Baramati Assembly constituency multiple times and played a central role in state politics for over three decades. In February 2024, the Election Commission recognised his faction as the official Nationalist Congress Party, awarding it the party name and symbol.
The sudden loss of Ajit Pawar has created a major political vacuum in Maharashtra and raised serious questions about VIP air travel safety. As investigators begin their work, the state mourns the death of a leader whose political legacy shaped Maharashtra’s modern governance.