New Delhi, Jan 28 (.) Following the fatal crash involving the death of Maharashtra’s six-time deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar along with four others in Baramati on Wednesday morning, the Indian Air Force deployed a team of Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel along with essential technical equipment at the Baramati airport.
In a statement, the officials said that the swift move was undertaken following a request from the Government of Maharashtra. The IAF moved the team alongwith the equipment from the Air Force Station Lohegaon, Pune.
“On an urgent request from the Government of Maharashtra, the Indian Air Force swiftly deployed a team of Air Traffic Control personnel along with essential technical equipment from Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati Airport. The team promptly established emergency Air Traffic Control services, including communication and other emergency facilities in co-ordination with local administration, to support safe and efficient air traffic management,” the official said.
The 66-year-old leader had been travelling to campaign events for the February 5 zilla parishad polls when the aircraft met with an accident near Baramati.
A Learjet 45 business aircraft operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. crashed near the threshold of Runway 11 at Baramati airfield on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board, including Pawar.
The aircraft, registered VT-SSK, was operating a non-scheduled flight from Mumbai to Baramati. According to preliminary information, Baramati is an “uncontrolled” airfield where traffic advisories are provided by instructors and pilots from local flying training organisations.
The aircraft first contacted Baramati at 8:18 AM IST, and after being released by Pune approach at 30 nautical miles inbound, the crew was advised to descend in visual meteorological conditions at their discretion. They were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 meters.
The aircraft attempted an approach to Runway 11 but initiated a go-around after reporting that the runway was not in sight.
Shortly thereafter, the crew again reported on final approach. They indicated the runway was initially not visible, but later stated it was in sight. The aircraft was cleared to land at 8:43 AM IST; however, no readback of the landing clearance was received.
At 8:44 AM, flames were observed near the runway threshold. Emergency services rushed to the site, where the wreckage was found on the left side of the runway abeam the threshold.
VT-SSK was manufactured in 2010 and held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate.
The commander held an ATPL with over 15,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot held a CPL with approximately 1,500 hours. Both crew members had valid medicals and recent proficiency checks.
VSR Ventures, a non-scheduled operator with a fleet of 17 aircraft, last underwent a DGCA regulatory audit in February 2025 with no Level-I findings. One of its Learjet 45 aircraft was involved in a separate accident in 2023, which remains under investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe.
. PWS KK
