Crew’s Final Words Revealed as Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crashed Near Baramati Runway

Fresh details have emerged from the investigation into the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, shedding light on the final moments inside the cockpit before the aircraft went down near Baramati airport.

According to officials familiar with the ongoing probe, the last recorded words from the cockpit crew moments before the crash were an exclamation of alarm. The Learjet 45, carrying Ajit Pawar and four others, crashed during its second landing attempt at the Baramati airstrip on Wednesday morning, killing everyone on board.

The aircraft was being flown by pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak. Pawar, his personal security officer, and an attendant were also among the victims. The crash occurred around 8:45 am as the aircraft attempted to land at Baramati’s table-top runway after aborting an initial approach.

Officials confirmed that the jet came down within the airstrip perimeter but significantly short of the runway threshold. Visual evidence from the crash site showed the wreckage mangled and charred, indicating a high-impact landing followed by fire.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has confirmed that both critical components of the black box—the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder—have been recovered. These devices are expected to play a crucial role in determining the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.

A forensic investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, whose team reached the site within hours of the incident. The Civil Aviation Ministry stated that all standard investigative protocols were activated immediately following the crash.

Preliminary timelines indicate that the aircraft established contact with Baramati airport at approximately 8:18 am. The crew was briefed about prevailing weather conditions, including visibility, and was informed that visibility stood at around 3,000 metres—considered adequate for landing. The pilots were advised to exercise discretion based on conditions at the time.

During the first approach to Runway 11, the pilot reported that the runway was not visible and initiated a go-around, a standard aviation safety manoeuvre. The aircraft then lined up for a second approach. Air traffic control verified runway visibility once again and cleared the aircraft to land at 8:43 am. However, investigators noted that no readback of the landing clearance was recorded from the cockpit.

At around 8:44 am, air traffic controllers observed flames near the runway threshold, moments before the aircraft was confirmed to have crashed.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s funeral is being held in Baramati with full state honours. Several senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar, have arrived to pay their last respects. The Maharashtra government has announced a three-day period of state mourning in honour of the veteran leader, widely known as ‘Dada’.

As investigators continue to analyse flight data and cockpit recordings, authorities have assured that the probe will be transparent, thorough, and time-bound.