The tragic Ajit Pawar plane crash on January 28, 2026, has shocked Maharashtra and the nation. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar died in a fatal aircraft accident while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The incident occurred during a chartered flight from Mumbai to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to address public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.
What Happened in the Ajit Pawar Plane Crash?
A Learjet 45 aircraft with registration VT-SSK, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and crashed near the runway threshold at Baramati around 8:45-8:48 AM IST. Eyewitnesses reported the plane veering off the runway, followed by an explosion and fire. Rescue teams recovered multiple bodies from the wreckage, with thick smoke visible at the site.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all individuals on board perished in the crash. No survivors were reported.
List of People Who Died in the Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
According to official confirmations from the DGCA, police, and close aides:
- Shri Ajit Pawar (Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, NCP leader) — Listed as passenger No. 1 on the manifest with remarks “DCM of Maharashtra.”
- Two security/personnel staff (including one PSO and one attendant).
- Two crew members:
- Capt. Sumit Kapur (Pilot in Command).
- Capt. Shambhavi Pathak (Co-pilot/First Officer).
The passenger manifest from the General Aviation Terminal also included:
- Shri Vidip Jadhav.
- Pinky Mali.
Reports indicate a total of 5-6 fatalities (3 passengers + 2 crew, with variations in counts across sources due to initial reporting). The crash claimed the lives of Ajit Pawar and all others aboard, with no survivors.
