Senior state official killed among five in western India plane crash
A private plane carrying a senior state official crashed in western India on Wednesday, killing all five people on board after the aircraft attempted to land and burst into flames near the runway. The Learjet 45 was traveling from Mumbai to the city of Baramati when it came down in an open field close to the airstrip, about 159 miles southeast of the financial capital. Television footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the charred wreckage as emergency crews responded. Authorities said poor visibility may have played a role, and an investigation has been launched by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to determine the exact cause.
Officials said Baramati operates as an uncontrolled airfield, meaning it does not have a dedicated air traffic control tower. Instead, pilots rely on traffic and weather information provided by instructors from nearby flight training facilities. Before attempting to land, the aircraft’s crew reportedly checked wind and visibility conditions with a local instructor and initially indicated that the runway was not visible, despite calm winds and reported visibility of about 3,000 meters. The crash claimed the life of Ajit Pawar, 66, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, along with two members of his staff and two crew members. Pawar was traveling to Baramati to campaign in a local election and was a powerful figure in state politics, known for his influence in Maharashtra’s rural regions and sugar belt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a dedicated public servant, praising his administrative skills and commitment to uplifting the poor, and offered condolences to Pawar’s family and supporters following what he called a shocking and tragic loss.
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