A Learjet 45 aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, met with a fatal accident on Tuesday, January 28, 2026, while attempting to land at Baramati airport, according to aviation and air traffic control sources.
Flight origin and aircraft details
As per initial information shared by aviation officials, the aircraft — registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR — had departed from Mumbai earlier in the morning for Baramati. The jet was a Learjet 45, a mid-size business aircraft commonly used for charter and official travel.
What happened during landing
According to ATC inputs, the aircraft crash-landed near the threshold of Runway 11 at Baramati airport at around 8:48 AM IST. Officials stated that the jet lost control during the landing phase, struck the runway area, and burst into flames immediately after impact.
Emergency response teams were rushed to the site, but the intensity of the fire left no scope for rescue, as per initial assessments.
People on board
An official occurrence report stated that five people were on board the aircraft, including:
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Deputy CM Ajit Pawar
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Two accompanying personnel (a PSO and an attendant)
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Two crew members (Pilot-in-Command and First Officer)
No survivors reported
Aviation authorities said that no survivors have been reported so far, based on preliminary information from the crash site. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed, and further verification is awaited through official channels.
Probe to follow
The cause of the crash is not yet known. A detailed investigation is expected to be initiated to examine:
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Aircraft condition
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Weather and runway factors
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Technical or operational issues during landing
This is a developing story, and more details are expected as authorities issue formal statements.
