The investigation into the fatal plane crash involving a chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has intensified after a new CCTV video showing the aircraft’s final moments surfaced. The crash occurred on January 28 near Baramati airport while the jet was on approach for landing, killing all five people on board. The footage, captured close to the runway, appears to show the aircraft descending normally before suddenly tilting to one side just seconds before impact.
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While aviation authorities have already recovered the black box and are continuing technical examinations, the video has prompted aviation experts to outline three possible explanations for the loss of control. Officials have clarified that these are only preliminary assessments based on visual evidence, and not conclusions.
Aerodynamic stall is seen as a key possibility
One of the main theories discussed by experts is an aerodynamic stall. A stall occurs when an aircraft loses lift because its speed drops below a critical threshold, a situation that is especially dangerous during landing. According to experts cited in the report, the aircraft’s sudden roll visible in the video could indicate that one wing stalled before the other. At such a low altitude, pilots would have had little time or height to recover control.
Engine failure also cannot be ruled out
Another explanation under consideration is engine failure. In twin-engine aircraft, the sudden loss of power in one engine can cause imbalance, leading to yawing or rolling if not corrected immediately. While the video does not show obvious signs such as fire or smoke, experts caution that engine failure cannot be confirmed or dismissed based on visuals alone. Detailed analysis of flight data and engine components will be required to establish whether mechanical issues played a role.
Late runway sighting
A third theory focuses on the approach itself. Experts suggest that late visual contact with the runway could have forced the pilots to make sharp corrections at low altitude. Baramati airport has limited navigational aids, and sudden manoeuvres during the final seconds of landing an aircraft. The abrupt change in the aircraft’s attitude seen in the video aligns with this possibility.
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Aviation authorities have emphasised that the exact cause of the crash will only be determined after a full examination of the black box data, cockpit voice recordings, and technical findings. Until that process is complete, the theories emerging from the video analysis remain tentative. The final investigation report is expected to provide clarity on what led to the tragic crash during the aircraft’s final moments.
