Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died in a plane crash near Baramati airport in Pune district on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) morning. The demise of Ajit Pawar (66 years) has not only created a huge void in the BJP-led coalition government in Maharashtra, but also raised questions over the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by him.
Visibility was low at the time of the accident: Rammohan Naidu
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said that visibility was low at the time of the plane crash. He said that when the air traffic control (ATC) of Baramati asked the pilot if the runway was visible, the reply was ‘no’, after which the aircraft made a circle in the air. The Civil Aviation Minister said, during the second landing attempt, ATC again asked whether the runway was visible, to which the pilot replied in the affirmative. After this the plane got permission to land. A few moments later the accident was reported.
What happened in 26 minutes?
According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the aircraft first contacted Baramati ATC at 8:18 am and reported landing on Runway 11. Due to the runway not being visible the plane started go-around. The runway was later reported visible and the aircraft was cleared for landing at 8:43 am, but no read-back was given. Subsequently, ATC observed flames around the threshold of Runway 11 at 8:44 am.
1. What actually happened after the final landing permission was given?
The plane got permission to land at 8:43 am, but ATC did not receive any information or confirmation from the pilot. Flames were seen at 8.44 am and according to DGCA the crash landing of the plane took place at around 8.45 am.
This raises the question whether there was a sudden system failure, loss of control or some emergency situation in the cockpit at the last moment after permission to land was given?
2. If there was poor visibility then why attempt landing?
The Civil Aviation Minister said that preliminary information shows that visibility was low at the time of landing. The crew first said the runway was not visible, then returned after the go-around. Baramati is an uncontrolled airport (does not have an active air traffic control tower), where traffic information is shared by instructors or pilots from flying schools. Were the weather and airport conditions suitable for a safe landing attempt or should the aircraft have diverted after the first unsuccessful attempt?
3. What was the reason for the sudden loss of radio contact?
The crew remained in constant contact until permission to land was given. Was asking for information about air/visibility and runway status. Radio contact was lost after receiving final permission. Was it overloading or sudden operational failure during an emergency?
4. Did the aircraft malfunction during go-around or final approach?
The plane burst into flames on the side of the runway. Official statements include regulatory records indicating that the aircraft had valid certificates and had recently been reviewed for airworthiness. Had the plane had an engine failure, a bird strike, a fuel leak, an electrical fire, or a hard landing?
5. Were standard procedures followed?
The pilot was advised to land the aircraft keeping in view the weather conditions. The crew first failed to sight the runway, then reported sighting the runway shortly before receiving clearance. Was the landing stabilized in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP) or did the aircraft arrive at too high an altitude, too fast or too late to accomplish a safe landing?
What next after the accident?
The ‘black box’ recovered from the plane (which includes the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) will be analyzed to determine the cause of the accident. Ajit left Mumbai in the morning to address four rallies in Pune district for the Zilla Parishad elections to be held on February 5. Those who lost their lives in the accident also included Captain Sumit Kapoor, who had 15,000 hours of flying experience. Co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, who had 1,500 hours of flying experience, Personal Security Officer (PSO) Vidhip Jadhav and flight attendant Pinky Mali also died in the accident.
