The tragic Ajit Pawar plane crash on January 28, 2026, has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the country. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft he was travelling in crashed 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 attend and address public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
What happened in the Ajit Pawar plane crash?
According to aviation authorities, the aircraft involved was a Learjet 45 bearing registration VT-SSK, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. The jet departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, and approached Baramati around 8:45–8:48 AM IST.
Initial reports and eyewitness accounts suggest that the aircraft crash-landed near the runway threshold during landing. Moments later, the jet reportedly burst into flames, triggering a fire and heavy smoke that was visible from a distance. Emergency and rescue teams rushed to the site, but the intensity of the blaze hampered immediate recovery efforts.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later confirmed that there were no survivors.
Who were on board? List of those killed
As per confirmations from the DGCA, police officials, and aviation sources, all individuals on board lost their lives. Those killed in the crash include:
- Ajit Pawar – Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader
- Two security and support personnel, including:
- One Personal Security Officer (PSO)
- One attendant
- Two crew members:
- Capt. Sumit Kapur – Pilot in Command
- Capt. Shambhavi Pathak – Co-pilot / First Officer
Some early passenger manifests also mentioned additional names, leading to initial variations in the reported fatality count. However, authorities have since clarified that five people were on board, including the Deputy Chief Minister, and none survived the crash.
Official confirmation and investigation
The DGCA stated that the aircraft crashed at the threshold of Runway 11 at Baramati airport, following which it caught fire. The aviation regulator, along with other agencies, has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, including technical, operational, and environmental factors.
Further details are expected once flight data, maintenance records, and air traffic control communications are examined.
The death of Ajit Pawar marks one of the most tragic aviation incidents involving a serving senior political leader in Maharashtra, leaving the state’s political landscape in mourning.
