Ajit Pawar plane crash: Oh S***: Cockpit voice captured crew’s final words before Baramati tragedy
Business jet, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd and registered as VT-SSK, went down around 8.45 am while attempting to land for second time at Baramati table-top airstrip
PTC Web Desk: Investigators probing the fatal aircraft crash in Maharashtra’s Baramati have revealed that the final words, O S***', recorded in the cockpit moments before the impact were an alarmed expletive, indicating sudden distress in the cockpit.
According to a senior official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Learjet 45 aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder captured the crew reacting just seconds before the crash, which claimed five lives, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The business jet, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd and registered as VT-SSK, went down around 8.45 am while attempting to land for the second time at the Baramati table-top airstrip. Those killed included Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and the two pilots—Captain Sumit Kapur and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.
What happened before the crash
The aircraft established contact with Baramati air traffic control at 8:18 am. The pilots were briefed about prevailing weather conditions and were advised to land at their discretion. Visibility was reported to be around three km, which is considered adequate for landing under normal circumstances.
During the first landing attempt on Runway 11, the crew informed ground control that the runway was not visible. Following standard aviation procedure, they were instructed to abort the landing and perform a go-around.
Soon after, the pilots reported they were once again on final approach and confirmed visual contact with the runway. Clearance to land was issued at 8.43 am. However, officials noted a crucial lapse, there was no readback from the cockpit acknowledging the landing clearance.
Within a minute, air traffic controllers observed flames near the threshold of Runway 11, indicating that the aircraft had crashed.
Baramati’s ground control operations are handled by trainee pilots from two private aviation institutes—Redbird Aviation and Carver Aviation—which served as the communication link for the aircraft.
A specialised team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reached the crash site later in the evening to begin a detailed forensic and technical investigation. Authorities are now examining cockpit recordings, communication gaps, and procedural compliance to determine the exact cause of the accident.