Reports emerging from Maharashtra say that Ajit Pawar, the state’s deputy chief minister and a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, was travelling on a Learjet 45 aircraft when it crashed while attempting to land at Baramati on Wednesday, January 28 at 8:48.
According to information cited by Hindustan Times, the aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, had been chartered from Mumbai and was carrying Pawar, his security personnel and flight crew. A close aide present at a local hospital in Baramati told the publication that all occupants were brought in without signs of life. Authorities are yet to issue a detailed official bulletin.
Also Read | Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash near Baramati airport
What happened during the landing attempt
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told Hindustan Times that the aircraft veered off the runway while attempting to land.
“The aircraft VT-SSK was attempting a landing, went off the side of the runway and crashed,” he said.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the jet was on its approach to Baramati when the incident occurred. Pawar was scheduled to address multiple public meetings in the region ahead of Zilla Parishad elections.
About the Learjet 45
The Learjet 45 is a mid-size business jet developed by Bombardier’s Learjet division and was first introduced in the late 1990s. It marked the company’s first completely new aircraft design since the original Learjet series, moving away from earlier derivatives to meet stricter transport-category certification standards.
Learjet 45 is designed primarily for chartered executive travel, the aircraft typically accommodates up to nine passengers and is operated by a two-pilot cockpit. It features a flat-floor cabin layout with a double-club seating configuration and both internal and external baggage compartments, which makes it suitable for short to medium-haul business routes.
It is powered by two Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines, enabling a cruise speed of over 500 mph and a range of nearly 2,000 nautical miles, depending on load and operating conditions. Its service ceiling extends up to 51,000 feet, placing it among the higher-performing aircraft in its category.
Also Read | UPS grounds all cargo freighter MD-11 aircraft following devastating accident
Aviation experts note that the aircraft is known for high cruise speeds and long range, though past records show the model has faced operational and maintenance challenges over the years.
Police and aviation officials are expected to share further details after site inspections and recovery operations are completed.
