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Ajit Pawar Dies In Baramati Plane Crash: All We Know About The Aircraft
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has died after the aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that there were no survivors.
The incident occurred at around 8:45 a.m., when the chartered aircraft was on approach from Mumbai. Preliminary information indicates the aircraft lost control during the landing phase.
All five occupants on board were killed. These included Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members comprising the pilot-in-command and first officer.
The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45XR, a mid-size business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. The jet with the registration VT-SSK was operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, a non-scheduled operator offering charter and corporate aviation services in India.
Today's crash was not the first time a Learjet operated by VSR has crashed. In September 2023, another Learjet with the registration number VT-DBL crashed while landing in Mumbai in extreme weather conditions.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash At Baramati Airport. Image Source: PTI
Learjet 45XR: All You Need To Know About The Aircraft
The Learjet 45XR entered service in 2004 as an upgraded version of the Learjet 45. Production continued until 2012, after which Bombardier phased out the Learjet programme.
Power for the Learjet 45XR comes from two Honeywell TFE731-20BR turbofan engines, each producing about 3,500 lb of thrust. The engines are FADEC-controlled and mounted on the rear fuselage.
The Learjet 45XR is capable of cruising at up to 465 knots (around 860 km/h) and is certified to operate at a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet. Its range of roughly 2,200 nautical miles (4,074km) suits domestic and short international charter operations.
The Learjet 45XR usually seats 6-8 passengers in a flat-floor cabin. It features an enclosed lavatory, a refreshment centre and an in-flight accessible baggage compartment. A low-sweep wing design allows operation from shorter runways and smaller airports, which is one of the reasons for its popularity with charter operators.
Learjet 45XR - Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Type | Mid-size Business Jet |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Aerospace |
| Variant | Learjet 45XR |
| Entry Into Service | 2004 |
| Production End | 2012 |
| Engines | 2 × Honeywell TFE731-20BR turbofans |
| Thrust Output | Approx. 3,500 lb thrust per engine |
| Maximum Cruise Speed | 465 knots (860 km/h) |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | 51,000 feet |
| Maximum Range | 2,200 nautical miles (4,074 km) |
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