Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live Updates: Maharashtra Deputy CM Dies in Baramati Accident — Probe Launched
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Live Updates: In a devastating aviation accident on 28 January 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed when the Learjet 45XR aircraft he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land near Baramati Airport in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The tragedy also claimed the lives of four others on board.
What Happened — The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The aircraft — a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation — departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, around 8:10 AM IST for Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to attend political meetings.
About 35 minutes later, while on final approach to Baramati Airport’s runway, the aircraft lost contact around 8:45 AM and crashed roughly 100 feet short of the runway, exploding and bursting into flames. Eyewitness CCTV footage captured massive fireballs and smoke engulfing the wreckage. Emergency services rushed to the site but no survivors were found.
All five people on board — Ajit Pawar, two pilots, and two other staff — died in the crash, confirmed by multiple news outlets.
Victims Identified — Ajit Pawar and Others
Ajit Pawar, aged in his mid-60s, was a key political leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His contributions to state politics spanned decades. The other four victims included seasoned pilots and personal staff accompanying him on the flight.
Sources reported that Pawar’s body was identified at the crash site by his wristwatch, underscoring the immense shock of the incident.
Official Response — Transparent Probe and Investigations
Following the tragedy, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that the government will conduct a “transparent and accountable” investigation into the crash.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched extensive inquiries, including on-site inspections of the charter operator’s facilities. AAIB teams were seen questioning staff at VSR Aviation’s Delhi office as part of early investigative efforts.
Preliminary flight tracking and radar data indicate the Learjet attempted a go-around procedure before the crash — a standard aviation maneuver if the runway is not clearly visible — but the aircraft went silent before impact.
Eyewitness Accounts and Footage
Local residents and CCTV footage described the moment of impact. According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft exploded on contact with ground, followed by multiple secondary explosions. Attempts by locals to rescue passengers were hampered by intense fire.
Several eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane descending steeply and losing control just moments before it hit the ground, triggering an enormous blaze that illuminated the early morning skies near Baramati.
Political and Public Reactions
News of Pawar’s death sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the wider Indian political landscape. Leaders from various parties expressed grief and offered condolences to Pawar’s family. Calls have emerged for a full investigation to determine if operational, mechanical, or environmental factors contributed to the crash.
Several senior politicians demanded answers and emphasised the need for aviation safety reforms, including scrutiny of small charter operators and uncontrolled airfields.
Baramati Airport and Flight Conditions
Baramati Airport is an ‘uncontrolled’ airfield — meaning it does not have a conventional air traffic control tower — and relies on pilot self-coordination for landing clearance. Data suggest visibility was “standard” but possibly below ideal conditions during landing attempts.
Flight radar shows that after an initial aborted landing, the aircraft re-approached the runway but subsequently lost transmitted signals and crashed shortly after.
FAQs About the Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Q1: Who died in the plane crash?
A1: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others onboard the Learjet 45 died when it crashed near Baramati Airport.
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Q2: What caused the plane to crash?
A2: The exact cause remains under investigation; preliminary data show the aircraft lost contact and crashed during final approach after a go-around manoeuvre.
Q3: What investigations are underway?
A3: The AAIB and DGCA are probing the crash, inspecting the aircraft operator, flight records, and pilot communications to determine causes.
Q4: Will there be a public report?
A4: Yes — aviation authorities have pledged a transparent probe, with findings to be released once investigations conclude.
