A preliminary investigation report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been released regarding the tragic plane crash that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, along with both pilots, his security guard, and a flight attendant. This incident occurred at Baramati Airport during an emergency landing attempt. The report indicates that low visibility and safety deficiencies at the airstrip were significant factors that contributed to the accident, which happened shortly after the chartered plane attempted to make a second emergency landing.

According to the AAIB, the weather conditions at the time of the incident were normal and visibility was recorded at approximately three kilometers. However, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured disturbing sounds just before the accident, with the pilot heard exclaiming "Oh shit... Oh shit". Unfortunately, the CVR was damaged due to the fire that engulfed the plane, leading to a request for technical support from its manufacturer, Honeywell, to extract any remaining data.

The tragic crash not only claimed the lives of prominent individuals like Ajit Pawar but has raised questions about aviation safety standards at minor airports in India. The AAIB indicated that it might seek international cooperation in the ongoing investigation, underscoring the need for comprehensive safety checks and protocols to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. The implications of this crash will likely lead to increased scrutiny of aviation regulations and practices across the nation, particularly in the context of private and emergency flights.