Mumbai Deputy Chief Minister Pawar Killed in Aircraft Crash

Deputy Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra state Ajit Pawar has died after his aircraft crashed during an emergency landing attempt at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning.

The two pilots and Ajit’s two security personnel also died in the crash, which happened as the chartered aircraft was attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport.

Five people on board the Mumbai to Baramati charter plane, which crash-landed, have died according to Indian officials. India’s aviation regulator said the aircraft could have crashed due to poor visibility.

Pawar was scheduled to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45, which was chartered from Mumbai, crashed. The aircraft belongs to Delhi-based charter company VSR.

Eyewitnesses said the jet was attempting to land when it crashed at the threshold of runway 11 at Baramati airport around 8.40 am. The aircraft immediately burst into flames.