Kamal Ghorui
A new CCTV video shows the plane carrying Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar crashing at high speed amid dense fog
MUMBAI: Another CCTV video of the tragic plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has emerged, showing the aircraft hitting the ground at high speed amid dense fog at Baramati Airport.The footage was released by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar during a press conference on Tuesday, adding fresh details to an incident that has shaken Maharashtra and raised questions about the circumstances of the crash.
The video shows the chartered Learjet 45, scheduled to fly from Baramati to Shamshabad and then to Patna, stalling before impact. A fire bomb erupted immediately after the crash.CCTV footage and local eyewitness accounts indicate visibility issues at the time, but Rohit Pawar has questioned whether technical negligence or other factors played a role.“This is the basic design of the aircraft. Ajit Dada would have been seated near the third window on the left side. There are messages in a group chat from the morning discussing visibility and flight arrangements. The captain received confirmation that visibility was ‘OK’ despite DGCA norms requiring at least 5,000 meters for takeoff,” Rohit Pawar said.Rohit Pawar described the emotional toll of the incident, saying, “I lost my uncle Ajit Dada Pawar in this crash. He was a political elder and a great leader for Maharashtra. Over the past 13 days, I have compiled information through various sources. This is a very personal matter for me, and I have shared the doubts I have in this presentation.”He also questioned the decision to attempt a landing at Baramati rather than diverting to the backup airport at Pune. According to Pawar, the aircraft had no technical permission for a ‘go-around’ and was scheduled for additional flights that day, raising concerns over whether the pilots were under pressure.During the press conference, Rohit Pawar presented slides alleging safety lapses by VSR Ventures, the charter company that owned the aircraft, and Arrow Company, which contracted the flight. He claimed the airline had violated maintenance schedules, pilot duty norms, and other safety regulations, citing past incidents, including previous crashes involving VSR aircraft. He also questioned the co-pilot and pilot decisions during the ill-fated flight.“The investigating agency should examine maintenance records. Why was this company allowed to operate despite prior crashes and violations? The CID handling the case lacks technical expertise for aviation investigation,” Pawar added.Earlier, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched a probe into the crash, which killed five people, including Ajit Pawar, the co-pilot, pilot, flight attendant, and a security officer. The case was initially registered as accidental death by Pune rural police and later transferred to the CID.Responding to the allegations, Capt VK Singh, owner of VSR Aviation, said, “It was a very unfortunate accident. Visibility was low, and the pilots could have diverted. The aircraft was airworthy.”Rohit Pawar has demanded that a foreign accident investigation agency, from countries like the US, UK, or France, be involved to ensure an independent and fair probe. He also shared the full presentation of his findings on social media, urging authorities to resolve all doubts surrounding the crash.“The questions raised are not rhetorical. Maharashtra has lost a leader, and until all doubts are clarified, we will continue to pursue this matter. We expect support from the state and central investigative agencies,” he said.(With agency inputs)
