Mumbai: The Baramati plane crash investigation has been initiated by the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) following a jet crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others near the Baramati airstrip.
According to a senior official, the state police have ordered a CID investigation into an accidental death case in Baramati, Pune district, after the January 28 crash.The Pune Rural police have registered a case of accidental death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which has been transferred to the CID,” he said.
Baramati Plane Crash Investigation: CID and AAIB Probe Details
Pawar (66), who had taken off from Mumbai, and four other people on board a Learjet 45 plane died on Wednesday morning when it crashed just 200 metres from the edge of the tabletop airstrip in Baramati, his hometown in Pune district.
Other people killed in the crash included Captain Sumit Kapoor, who had 15,000 hours of flying experience, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, who had 1,500 hours of flying experience, Pawar’s Personal Security Officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.
The official stated that a team of CID personnel had begun their work and would collect relevant documents from the Pune Rural Police.
The team will also visit the accident site near the Baramati airstrip, he said.
The investigation is to rule out any sabotage on the plane before Pawar began his journey from Mumbai to Baramati, he stated.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which reports to the Civil Aviation Ministry, has also launched a formal investigation into the crash.
Background of the Baramati Plane Crash
The Baramati plane crash has shocked the state and raised serious concerns about aviation safety and emergency preparedness. The Learjet 45 aircraft was reportedly on a routine journey when it crashed near the tabletop airstrip in Baramati, Pune district. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff, leaving little time for corrective action.
Aviation experts have pointed out that tabletop runways require extremely precise takeoff and landing procedures due to limited margins for error. Any technical malfunction, weather disturbance, or miscalculation can have severe consequences. Authorities immediately cordoned off the crash site to preserve evidence and ensure safety.
Role of the CID in the Baramati Plane Crash Investigation
The Baramati plane crash investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) is focused on determining the exact cause of the accident. Officials stated that the CID will analyze flight records, maintenance logs, pilot communication data, and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Investigators are also examining whether the aircraft complied with all aviation safety norms and whether there were any lapses in operational procedures. The CID probe aims to rule out sabotage, mechanical failure, or human error, ensuring a transparent and comprehensive investigation.
AAIB Probe and Aviation Safety Review
Alongside the CID investigation, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a parallel inquiry into the crash. The AAIB, which functions under the Civil Aviation Ministry, specializes in investigating aircraft accidents to improve safety standards across the aviation sector.
The bureau will examine technical aspects such as engine performance, aircraft design, and airstrip conditions. Findings from the AAIB investigation are expected to contribute to recommendations that may help prevent similar accidents in the future.
Impact of the Incident and Way Forward
The tragic loss of lives in the Baramati plane crash has prompted discussions on the need for stricter aviation safety oversight, especially for small airstrips and private aircraft operations. Authorities emphasized that lessons learned from the investigation would be used to strengthen safety protocols and emergency response mechanisms.
Officials assured that both the CID and AAIB investigations would be conducted thoroughly and transparently, with findings made available after completion. The focus remains on accountability, safety improvement, and preventing such incidents in the future.
