CCTV Footage Shows Moment Ajit Pawar's Plane Crashed, Burst Into Flames

In a devastating turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the nation, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, tragically lost his life on Wednesday morning in a horrific plane crash near Baramati airport. The 66-year-old veteran politician was among five individuals on board the private Learjet 45 that exploded into a massive fireball shortly before 8:46 AM, just minutes from its intended landing.

The horrifying moment was captured on CCTV footage from a highway, revealing a massive plume of smoke rising into the sky followed by intense flames. The private jet, which had departed from Mumbai at 8:10 AM, was reportedly attempting a second landing when disaster struck. Emergency services and distraught local residents rushed to the crash site, confronted by a scene of utter devastation: the mangled remains of the aircraft engulfed in fire and thick smoke. The initial chaos quickly gave way to the grim confirmation – all five occupants had perished in the catastrophic incident.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the final moments. One local resident, observing the aircraft's descent, recounted, "When the aircraft descended, it seemed it would crash… and it did. It then exploded and burst into a massive fire and four or five more explosions followed." The sheer intensity of the blaze prevented any immediate rescue attempts. "People came and tried to pull out passengers from the aircraft. Due to the huge fire, they could not help…," the eyewitness added, highlighting the futility of efforts against the inferno.

Preliminary flight data, sourced from tracking services, provides further insight into the flight path. The Learjet 45, operated by VSR, initially ceased broadcasting its signal at 8:34 AM, only to resume transmission minutes later. However, at 8:43 AM, the aircraft went silent again, approximately 20 kilometres from the Baramati airport. It was around 8:45 AM when the plane completely blipped off radar, according to tracking data. At the point of its final loss of contact, the aircraft was reportedly flying at an altitude of 1016 metres (over a kilometre) and at a speed of 237 kilometres per hour.

Investigators will now meticulously analyze all available evidence, including the retrieved flight recorders, to ascertain the precise cause of this tragic accident. Aviation experts suggest that factors such as weather conditions, mechanical failure, or pilot error could be under scrutiny, though it is far too early to draw definitive conclusions. The investigation promises to be extensive, aiming to provide answers to the grieving families and the public.

Ajit Pawar's death marks a profound loss for Maharashtra's political landscape. A political stalwart, Pawar had an illustrious career, serving as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra a remarkable six times, albeit non-consecutively. His tenure saw him working across the political spectrum, collaborating with leaders from various parties including the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. Throughout his career, Pawar was known for his administrative acumen and his firm grasp on state finances.

Despite his significant influence and numerous stints as Deputy Chief Minister, the ultimate aspiration of becoming the Chief Minister himself remained unfulfilled. His sudden demise leaves a void that will be keenly felt, not only within his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction but also across the broader political arena of Maharashtra and India. Tributes have begun pouring in from leaders across the political divide, mourning the loss of a prominent figure who dedicated decades to public service.

The incident underscores the inherent risks in air travel, even for private jets. As the nation mourns, the focus will now shift to the comprehensive investigation, which will hopefully shed light on the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking tragedy and prevent future occurrences.