India, Jan. 28 -- The mid-size business jet, carrying Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, was cleared for landing a minute before it went down in flames at 8:44am on Wednesday, killing all five people on board, the civil aviation ministry said, citing the statement of the person manning the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Baramati airport.

The ministry said the Learjet 45 aircraft was advised to descend in visual meteorological conditions, or sufficient visibility to fly, maintaining visual separation from terrain and other aircraft, at the pilot's discretion. It added that the aircraft crew inquired about the winds and visibility. The crew was informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 metres. "Next, the ai...