Saturday, March 29, 2025
“Runway Still Not Visible”: Final Conversation Before Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crash
Details of the last conversation between the cockpit of the plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Air Traffic Control (ATC) have emerged ahead of the tragic crash in Baramati. These details suggest poor visibility may have been the main cause of the accident.
Moments Before the Crash
The plane took off from Mumbai at 8:10 AM. As the jet approached Baramati Airport, pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak asked for information on local weather and winds. ATC reported visibility at about 3,000 meters. However, when the aircraft neared Runway 11, the pilot reported that the runway was not visible.
Go-Around Attempt
For safety, the pilot aborted the landing and initiated a ‘go-around’ procedure (circling in the air for another try). During the second attempt, when ATC inquired about the situation, the pilot’s final words were:
“Runway still not visible; we’ll call when we see it.”
Moments later, the pilot confirmed the runway was visible, and landing clearance was given at 8:43 AM. But no ‘readback’ (acknowledgment) came from the aircraft, and contact was lost.
CCTV Footage and Technical Data
At 8:46 AM, the plane crashed a short distance from the airport. CCTV footage clearly shows smoke rising after the incident. Data shows the aircraft was traveling at 237 km/h and at about 1 km altitude when contact broke. The plane belonged to Delhi-based VSR Ventures, with its last inspection in February 2025 revealing no major technical issues.
