Ajit Pawar plane crash: Black box investigation begins, Learjet 45 safety record comes under focus

The fatal crash of a Learjet 45 in Baramati on Wednesday, which claimed the lives of five people, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, has brought renewed focus on the safety of small and business aircraft.

Investigators are examining a combination of technical failure and adverse weather conditions, particularly heavy fog across the Pune–Baramati region, as possible causes of the accident. According to reports, the pilot attempted an emergency landing but lost control of the aircraft during the manoeuvre.

Data from FlightRadar24 shows that the aircraft had already made one "go-around" before the crash occurred during a second landing attempt at Baramati airport. The Learjet's last recorded airspeed was 157 knots (approximately 290 kmph) before contact was lost.

Aviation experts note that while high-performance business jets like the Learjet 45 are certified under transport-category rules for higher speeds, the margin for error during landing is significantly lower, especially under poor visibility. Small aircraft are more vulnerable to atmospheric conditions due to their lighter weight and lower mass compared to large commercial jets.

The Maharashtra Police said the crash is being investigated in detail to determine the exact cause. Officials confirmed that the wreckage's location and condition will be examined to assess the speed and angle of impact. The aircraft's black box will be analysed to establish its technical condition and airworthiness, while the cockpit voice recorder will provide insight into the pilots' conversations and decisions in the final moments of the flight.

Investigators will also review the pilot's communication with Air Traffic Control, aircraft maintenance records, runway conditions, wind direction and weather data at the time of landing.

The Learjet 45 has previously featured in multiple aviation safety incidents globally, including fatal crashes in Mexico City (2008), Milan (2003) and Veracruz (2021), as well as several non-fatal accidents involving landing and take-off complications. These incidents have contributed to broader scrutiny of General Aviation, which includes private charters and business jets and consistently records higher accident rates than scheduled commercial aviation.

According to IATA and ICAO safety data for 2024–25, commercial airline accident rates remain extremely low, while General Aviation continues to face higher risks due to fewer redundancy systems and increased susceptibility to weather-related disruptions.

Despite this, not all small-aircraft accidents are fatal. Experts note that controlled forced landings can be survivable if structural integrity is maintained. However, loss of control during landing — a scenario under focus in the Baramati case — remains one of the leading causes of fatal General Aviation accidents.

The Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR, was carrying five people, including Ajit Pawar, a personal security officer, an attendant and two crew members. The deceased have been identified as Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali, Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur and Second-in-Command Shambhavi Pathak.

Emergency services and senior security officials reached the crash site immediately, and rescue teams were deployed after the aircraft lost control during the landing phase. Further findings are awaited as authorities continue the investigation.