Baramati Plane Crash: A plane carrying NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Maharashtra. Pawar and four others were killed in the fatal accident when the chartered aircraft attempted an emergency landing at Baramati airport.
Two pilots and two of Ajit Pawar’s security personnel were also killed in the crash. Visuals from the crash site showed debris scattered across the area, with flames and thick smoke billowing from the aircraft. Pawar was traveling in a private chartered plane with four other passengers on board.
Ajit Pawar was on his way to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the district council elections when the chartered aircraft, a Learjet 45, crashed after taking off from Mumbai.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader #AjitPawar in this morning’s plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues, and all those affected. May the departed souls rest in peace. 🙏#PlaneCrash #Baramati pic.twitter.com/kNufw4HGK5
— RAM (@Ind_RAM_) January 28, 2026
The entire aircraft was engulfed in flames, and visuals showed it was destroyed with debris scattered all around. Initial visuals showed heavy fire and smoke emanating from the area in Baramati.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has confirmed that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is no more after his plane crashed in Baramati, Maharashtra, this morning.
The accident occurred while the aircraft was attempting to land at Baramati airport. The cause of the crash and the exact condition of the 66-year-old leader are yet to be ascertained. However, there has been no official confirmation from Pawar’s office or government officials so far.
Initial reports suggest that the jet experienced difficulties during landing, although the exact sequence of events is still being verified, as airport staff and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and found the aircraft destroyed, with no signs of survivors. The aircraft carrying the Deputy Chief Minister was a Bombardier Learjet 45 business jet, operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited and registered as VT-SSK. It was 16 years old. This twin-engine light jet is commonly used for corporate and VIP travel and is suitable for short and medium sectors, including regional airports like Baramati.
VSR official Vijay Kumar Singh said the aircraft was “100% safe” and was being flown by an experienced crew. He also said that poor visibility could be a contributing factor, pending the DGCA investigation, and confirmed that pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak died in the crash.
Pawar had attended a cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday and was traveling to Baramati for several meetings related to the upcoming municipal elections in Pune.
Meanwhile, Baramati MP and Ajit’s cousin, Supriya Sule, left Delhi for Maharashtra, where she was scheduled to attend the budget session of Parliament. Ajit’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, and their son Parth Pawar have also left for Baramati.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought information and updates on the Baramati plane crash.
PM Modi expressed grief over Ajit Pawar’s death and, in a post on X, described him as a “leader of the people” who had a strong connection with the grassroots and was widely respected for his dedication to serving Maharashtra. Calling Pawar’s death “very shocking and tragic,” the Prime Minister said he had a deep understanding of administrative matters.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi became emotional during a television interview, describing the tragedy as “heartbreaking,” “extremely painful,” and “a great loss for the state.” She said Pawar had good ideas and worked tirelessly for the progress of Maharashtra, noting that his dedication to public life was evident in his daily routine.
(With agency inputs)