In a heartbreaking turn of events on the morning of January 27, 2026, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Baramati. The Learjet 45, carrying Pawar, his security officer, and the crew, crashed just moments after the crew’s final words: “Oh sh**.” The incident has shocked the state and sparked a thorough investigation into the events leading up to the tragedy.
The Learjet departed from Mumbai at 8:10 am, heading towards Baramati for a scheduled landing. Conditions seemed favorable, with calm winds and a visibility of 3,000 meters. However, when the plane made its approach toward the runway in Baramati at 8:18 am, the crew encountered issues with visibility, which delayed the landing.
Despite being in the vicinity of the runway, the crew was unable to locate it on the first attempt. Air Traffic Control (ATC) advised the pilots to descend, and the aircraft went around, circling the area to reattempt the landing. This would not be the only setback, as their second attempt met with the same result still no visual confirmation of the runway. At this point, the crew requested a visual clearance to land, which was granted by the ATC.
The Fatal Decision and Last Communication
After confirming that the runway was visible, the plane attempted its final approach at 8:43 am. However, a fatal lapse occurred: the pilots failed to confirm that they had received clearance to land. This lack of confirmation was critical. As the plane neared the runway, the crew’s last words, recorded in the final moments before the crash, were “Oh sh**.”
These haunting words were followed by the sound of the aircraft hitting the ground, bursting into flames just moments later. The Learjet crashed near the threshold of Runway 11, leading to an inferno that tragically claimed the lives of all on board. Ajit Pawar, his security officer, and the two pilots perished in the crash.
The crash sent shockwaves through the political and public spheres of Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure in state politics, was deeply mourned by his supporters and colleagues. His death, coming in such a sudden and tragic manner, has left the state grappling with loss. The investigation into the crash has raised questions about the safety protocols followed by the crew and the final conditions of the plane during the landing attempts.
Investigation and Official Statements
The civil aviation ministry has launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that while the weather conditions were relatively calm, the pilots struggled to land despite clear visibility of the runway. The final report is expected to offer more clarity on the causes of the crash, including whether any technical issues with the aircraft contributed to the fatal outcome.
This tragic accident highlights the sometimes unpredictable risks of air travel, even under seemingly controlled conditions. Despite the crew’s best efforts to land safely, human error and possibly external factors led to the fatal outcome. It serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between technology, training, and human judgment in aviation.
As investigations continue and the public processes the shock of this devastating loss, the questions surrounding the crash remain poignant. Was there something that could have been done differently? Could more effective communication have saved lives? Only time will tell.
In the wake of this tragedy, Maharashtra is in mourning, and Ajit Pawar’s legacy will continue to resonate within the state’s political landscape. The lessons learned from this incident will hopefully contribute to improving aviation safety protocols in the future, preventing such heartbreak from happening again.
The crash serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be, and how important it is to never take safety for granted whether on the ground or in the air.
