The nation is reeling from the devastating news of the Ajit Pawar plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and four others on the morning of January 28, 2026. The Bombardier Learjet 45XR, en route from Mumbai to Baramati, met its tragic end just feet from the runway threshold. But what exactly happened in those final, critical minutes? Thanks to publicly available flight tracking data and the initial findings from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), we can now piece together a clearer, albeit heartbreaking, picture of the aircraft’s final approach.
Table of Contents
- The Final Flight Path: A Second Chance That Failed
- The Aircraft at the Center of the Tragedy
- The Unique Challenges of Baramati Airfield
- Key Takeaways from the DGCA Preliminary Report
- Conclusion: Seeking Answers from the Skies
- Sources
The Final Flight Path: A Second Chance That Failed
According to real-time data from Flightradar24, the ill-fated Learjet, registered as VT-SSK, took off from Mumbai at approximately 8:10 AM [[7]]. The flight appeared routine for its first 35 minutes, cruising towards its destination in Baramati [[3]]. However, the trouble began during the landing phase. The aircraft initiated a visual approach to Runway 11 but was forced to abort its first landing attempt [[36]].
This go-around maneuver is a standard safety procedure when a pilot isn’t confident about a safe landing. The data shows the jet climbed back into the air, only to attempt a second approach minutes later. It was during this second attempt that the aircraft disappeared from radar at 8:45 AM, crashing just 100 feet short of the runway [[2]]. This sequence of a failed first landing followed by a fatal second attempt is a critical detail in understanding the Ajit Pawar plane crash.
The Aircraft at the Center of the Tragedy
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Learjet 45XR, a popular business jet known for its speed and range. This model is certified to high safety standards, nearly identical to those required for large commercial airliners like the Boeing 777 [[8]]. Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines, it has a maximum cruise speed of over 500 mph [[11]].
However, this isn’t the first time an aircraft of this type and operator has been in the news. In a chilling parallel, another Learjet 45 operated by the same company, VSR Aviation, had a serious incident at Mumbai airport in September 2023 [[20]]. While the causes of the two accidents are likely different, this history adds a layer of scrutiny to the operational practices of the charter company. The specific aircraft in this crash, VT-SSK, was owned by VSR Ventures [[24]].
The Unique Challenges of Baramati Airfield
Baramati airfield is not a typical commercial airport. It is classified as an “uncontrolled airfield,” meaning there is no active air traffic control tower to guide incoming and outgoing flights [[33]]. Instead, pilots rely on a common radio frequency to announce their positions and intentions to other aircraft in the area, a system that requires heightened situational awareness and clear communication.
The airfield features a single asphalt runway, designated 11/29, which is 2,350 meters (about 7,710 feet) long [[30]]. While this length is sufficient for a Learjet 45XR, the lack of sophisticated instrument landing systems means pilots must execute a “visual approach,” which is heavily dependent on good visibility. Preliminary reports suggest that while the overall meteorological conditions were manageable, the crew lost sight of the runway multiple times during their approach, a critical factor in an uncontrolled environment [[25]].
Key Takeaways from the DGCA Preliminary Report
The DGCA’s initial occurrence report provides some crucial insights into the final moments of the flight:
- No Mayday Call: The crew did not issue a distress call before the crash, indicating the event may have unfolded very rapidly [[24]].
- Visibility Issues: The primary challenge appears to have been poor visibility at the critical moment of landing, preventing the pilots from establishing a stable visual reference with the runway [[25]].
- Operator and Aircraft Details: The report officially identifies the operator as VSR Aviation and the aircraft type as a Learjet 45 [[19]].
The investigation is now in the hands of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which will conduct a thorough analysis of the wreckage, flight recorders, and all available data to determine the definitive cause of the accident [[22]].
Conclusion: Seeking Answers from the Skies
The Ajit Pawar plane crash is a stark reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in aviation, even with modern, well-maintained aircraft. The confluence of factors—a visual approach at an uncontrolled airfield, challenging visibility, and the pressure of a second landing attempt—created a perfect storm that ended in tragedy. As the AAIB continues its investigation, the Flightradar24 data and the DGCA’s preliminary findings offer a sobering glimpse into the final, desperate minutes of a flight that never reached its destination. The nation mourns a significant political figure, and the aviation community will be watching closely for the final report to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated. For more on aviation safety protocols, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:aviation-safety-standards].
Sources
- Flightradar24 official post on the incident [[4]]
- NDTV report on the crash timeline [[2]]
- Economic Times article on flight data [[5]]
- Indian Express report on the operator and aircraft history [[21]]
- Times of India report on DGCA findings [[24]]
- Details on Baramati airfield infrastructure [[33]]
- Bombardier Learjet 45XR specifications from JetAV [[8]]
- Indiatoday.in report on parallels with the 2023 incident [[20]]