Why allowed to fly? Plane that killed Ajit Pawar had history of previous crash

Mumbai

A private Learjet 45, already involved in a severe accident at Mumbai airport in September 2023, crashed again Wednesday at Baramati airport, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the pilot, and two crew members. The deadly incident has raised serious questions about aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and regulatory oversight in India, as the same plane had been cleared to fly despite its documented accident history 

The jet, operated by VSR Ventures, veered off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati around 9 a.m. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft skidding off the runway and catching fire immediately, reducing it to a charred wreck. Rescue teams including firefighters, police, and technical experts rushed to the site, but all onboard perished.

Shockingly, the same Learjet 45 had previously been involved in a severe accident on September 14, 2023, at Mumbai airport. At the time, the private aircraft was flying from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai when heavy rains and poor visibility caused it to skid off the runway. Fortunately, there were no casualties, though the plane sustained extensive damage. Despite undergoing technical inspections, it was cleared to resume operations—a decision now under intense scrutiny following Wednesday’s deadly crash.

Preliminary investigations suggest adverse weather conditions combined with potential technical failures may have contributed to the accident. Aviation experts are raising serious concerns about the repeated clearance of a plane with a documented accident history. “Allowing a previously crashed aircraft to fly again without rigorous re-certification is a glaring safety violation,” said an industry analyst.

The tragedy has intensified questions about aircraft maintenance, technical inspections, and regulatory approvals in private aviation. Experts insist a full-scale inquiry is necessary to examine whether procedural lapses or negligence played a role in the fatal outcome.

Pawar’s sudden death has prompted condolences from the Prime Minister, the President, various state Chief Ministers, and political leaders across the country. Thousands of supporters gathered at Baramati to pay their respects, turning the site into a massive gathering for the Deputy CM’s final rites.

This incident has once again brought civil aviation safety standards into sharp focus, raising urgent concerns about systemic lapses that could put lives at risk. The combination of a previously damaged aircraft, possible technical failures, and challenging weather conditions has resulted in one of India’s most shocking political aviation disasters.