Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded a Supreme Courtmonitored investigation into the plane crash in Baramati that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Speaking to the media, Banerjee said she was “shocked” by the news of Pawar’s death and described the incident as a serious loss for the nation.
What happened today raises serious questions, she said, adding that only a probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court would be credible. We have trust only in the Supreme Court, no other agency,” Banerjee said, alleging that investigative agencies had lost their independence. Ajit Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati, Supriya Sule’s constituency, to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the aircraft he was aboard crashed at 8.50 am.
The twin-engine light jet, commonly used for VIP and corporate travel and suitable for regional airports like Baramati, had taken off from Mumbai at 8.10 am. Flightradar data shows it made an unsuccessful first landing attempt at 8.30 am, likely due to poor visibility, and attempted a second approach at 8.42 am before disappearing from radar around 8.45 am, ultimately crashing near the threshold of runway 11. Visibility at Baramati was low, and the airport lacks a night-landing facility, limiting safe landings in such conditions.
Hours after the incident, VSR Aviation owner VK Singh told India Today TV that the aircraft was “100% safe” and flown by an experienced crew. Flightradar data shows it made an unsuccessful first landing attempt at 8.30 am, likely due to poor visibility, and attempted a second approach at 8.42 am before disappearing from radar around 8.45 am, ultimately crashing near the threshold of runway 11. Visibility at Baramati was low, and the airport lacks a night-landing facility, limiting safe landings in such conditions.
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