Preliminary findings show Ajit Pawar jet landed despite unsafe conditions, cockpit voice captures panic

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the Learjet 45 crash at Baramati on January 28, which killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The report cites serious lapses in airfield infrastructure , operational procedures, and weather assessment.

The jet attempted to land in visibility of 3,000 metres , below the 5,000-metre minimum required for VFR operations at uncontrolled airfields. Baramati Airport lacked proper meteorological facilities, and the tower was manned by a ground instructor from a flying training organisation who estimated visibility and relayed it to the crew. Investigators also noted faded runway markings and loose gravel on the runway surface, with no re-carpeting since 2016.

The Cockpit Voice Recorder captured the pilots exclaiming, “Oh Sh t… Oh Sh t,” moments before the jet crash-landed left of the runway, hit trees, and caught fire. Both flight data and voice recorder are being analysed with technical assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) .

AAIB recommended that the DGCA ensure flights to uncontrolled airfields operate only under safe conditions, enhance landing aids , provide basic meteorological facilities, license aerodromes for regulated operations, and enforce strict compliance with standard procedures.

The crash triggered public and political reactions. Villagers observed a bandh , and relatives including Rohit Pawar demanded a thorough investigation. Separately, a Mumbai court accepted the closure report in the ₹25,000-crore MSCB scam, giving a clean chit to Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra, and nephew Rohit Pawar.

The AAIB emphasised that the investigation is ongoing , and the final report, expected within a year, will determine all root causes and recommend lasting aviation safety improvements.