Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said a transparent and accountable probe will be conducted into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with preliminary inputs indicating poor visibility during landing
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. File Pic
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said a transparent and accountable probe would be carried out into the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar.
Addressing the media, the minister said preliminary inputs indicated poor visibility during landing and outlined the sequence of events that led to the accident.
"We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site at the time of landing around 8:48 am," he said, reported news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Pune | On Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says," We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site… pic.twitter.com/qPs0k6hQH7
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
Ajit Pawar death: Pilot initially reported runway was not visible, says Civil Aviation Minister
The minister further stated, "Before landing, ATC (Air Traffic Control) asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, and he confirmed it was not. After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing. Then, the pilot confirmed visibility of the runway. After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred."
Expressing grief over the loss, the Civil Aviation Minister said the incident was deeply saddening.
"My heart is very heavy with sorrow. It is difficult to digest that Ajit Dada is not with us. I offer my condolences to the families of the other four persons who have died in this incident. Ajit Dada used to guide us a lot due to his experience in public service. This is an irreplaceable loss for Maharashtra. It is very difficult to find leaders like him," he said.
Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning in Maharashtra's Baramati.
According to DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am. The crash landing of the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati. Pawar was onboard along with two more personnel (a personal security officer and an attendant) as well as two crew members.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a state holiday on Wednesday and three days of mourning following Pawar's death.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. The last rites will be performed with full state honours, the Maharashtra General Administration Department (Protocol) informed on Wednesday.
(With ANI inputs)
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