'We understand the pilot is a woman': Ajit Pawar's two-year-old X post on woman pilots goes viral after Baramati plane crash

In the wake of the devastating aviation accident that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a poignant and ironic social media post from his past has resurfaced, going viral across platforms. As the state mourns the loss of the NCP veteran, netizens have highlighted a post from January 2024 that reflects a hauntingly different time.

A Post Resurfaced in Grief

On January 18, 2024, Ajit Pawar had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share a lighthearted tribute to women in aviation. He wrote, "When we travel by helicopter or plane, if our plane or helicopter lands smoothly, we understand that the pilot is a woman. #NCPWomenPower."

At the time, the post was seen as an appreciative nod toward the skill and precision of female pilots. However, in the hours following the crash of his chartered Learjet 45 in Baramati, the post has taken on a somber and ironic tone, as the state grapples with the reality of a landing that was anything but smooth.


Check Ajit Pawar's post here:

Questions Surrounding the Flight Crew

The viral nature of the post has been intensified by discussions regarding the crew operating the ill-fated flight. Reports indicate that the cockpit was manned by a two-member team. Under the resurfaced post, comments have pointed out that the crew consisted of one male and one female pilot.

While official investigations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are still in the preliminary stages to determine the exact cause of the crash citing factors like weather conditions or technical failure.

A Sensitive Reflection

Social media users have shared the post to highlight the unpredictable nature of life. Many have called the coincidence "heartbreaking" and "cruelly ironic." One user has commented "one was a m and one was a w" indicating the presence of both-gendered pilots in the plane that killed the NCP chief. As Baramati prepares for the final rites at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, the resurfacing of this post serves as a quiet reminder of Pawar's long-standing relationship with air travel—a necessity of his high-profile political career that, tragically, ended in this morning’s accident.