“Doomsday at Baramati: Timeline, Eyewitness Accounts & Impact of Ajit Pawar’s Fatal Plane Crash”
01.25-01.29 Final Season Savings (for Northern Hemisphere)
🕒 Timeline of the Tragedy
8:10 a.m. IST – The Learjet 45XR (registration VT-SSK) takes off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport headed to Baramati.
~8:30 a.m. – First landing attempt at Baramati is reportedly aborted.
~8:45 a.m. – Flight disappears from radar during the second approach.
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~8:50 a.m. – The jet crashes approximately 100 feet before the runway threshold, bursts into flames and explodes multiple times, leaving no survivors.
Those on board included Pawar, two staff members, and two crew members.
📣 Eyewitness and Official Quotes
One local resident described the harrowing scene:
“When the aircraft descended, it looked like it would crash — and it did. Soon after, it exploded… people tried to pull the passengers out, but the fire was too intense.”
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, reflecting on his colleague’s loss, said:
“It is a very painful incident… this loss is not just of the Pawar family but of the entire state.”
National leaders also expressed grief, and a three-day state mourning was declared.
📊 Impact Analysis
Political Vacuum:
Ajit Pawar, 66, was a dominant political figure in Maharashtra with decades of experience in governance and coalition building. His sudden death leaves a leadership gap in crucial state affairs and election strategy.
Public Shock:
Residents in Baramati and beyond reacted with deep sorrow, sharing emotional testimonials and vigils as communities processed the loss.
Safety and Investigation:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe to determine the exact cause of the crash. Early speculation includes landing difficulties despite good visibility, but definitive conclusions await the official report.
🕊 Final Reflection
This accident does more than mark the loss of a leader—it reminds us that even prominent figures face unpredictable dangers. As investigators work toward answers, Maharashtra and the nation mourn a figure whose influence touched many.