Tragic Plane Crash in Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Among Five Dead

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. He was heading to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the crash took place.

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1/28/20262 min read

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash.

In a devastating accident on the morning of January 28, 2026, a chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, crashed near Baramati Airport while attempting to land, killing him and all four others on board.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45XR operated by VSR Aviation, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati for election campaigning when the fatal accident occurred.

Flight Attempted to Land Twice

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports, the plane approached Baramati Airport in poor visibility conditions. The first attempt to land was aborted because the runway was not clearly visible, forcing the crew to climb back and circle for another approach. On the second attempted landing, the aircraft lost control, veered off near the runway, and crashed, bursting into flames upon impact.

The crash happened in the vicinity of the airport, and the aircraft was completely destroyed on impact.

Victims of the Crash

All five people on board the aircraft lost their lives in the crash:

  • Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister

  • Two security personnel accompanying him

  • Two pilots and crew members
    All sustained fatal injuries and no survivors were reported.

Crisis Response and Investigation

Emergency responders reached the scene soon after the crash. Thick smoke and fire were visible from the wreckage, and debris was scattered across the site as rescuers worked to contain the blaze.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other aviation authorities have initiated an investigation into the causes of the crash. Early assessments are focusing on visibility issues at Baramati Airport and the challenges of a visual approach at smaller regional strips, which generally lack advanced instrument landing systems.

Public Mourning and Official Reaction

The news of Ajit Pawar’s death has triggered widespread grief across Maharashtra and the country. Political leaders from various parties expressed shock and sorrow, emphasizing Pawar’s decades of service in public life.

A three-day state mourning period has been declared in Maharashtra, during which government functions and official celebrations have been scaled back or postponed out of respect for the fallen leader.

Citizens and supporters have gathered in Baramati and across the state to pay their respects, honoring Pawar’s long political career and his role in regional and state governance.

Legacy of Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar was one of Maharashtra’s most prominent political figures, with a long career in public service, spanning multiple terms as a legislator and leadership roles within the state government. His sudden death in this tragic crash has left a significant impact on the political landscape of the state.