The political corridors of Maharashtra were silenced today by the devastating news of the Ajit Pawar plane crash. On the morning of January 28, 2026, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, aged 66, was killed when his chartered aircraft, a Learjet 45, plummeted to the ground while attempting to land at the Baramati Airport. The news has sent shockwaves throughout the country, marking one of the darkest days in the state’s modern political history.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Tragic End to a Political Legend in Baramati
The Fatal Descent: What Happened in Baramati?
According to the latest reports regarding the Ajit Pawar plane crash, the flight (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures took off from Mumbai at 8:10 AM. The aircraft was en route to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to address four campaign rallies for the upcoming local body elections. However, tragedy struck at 8:45 AM. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 suggests the pilots were attempting a second approach to the runway in conditions of dense fog and poor visibility. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane struggle to maintain stability before it crashed nearly 100 feet short of the runway, resulting in a series of massive explosions that left no room for rescue efforts.
Casualties and Government Response
The Ajit Pawar plane crash claimed a total of five lives. Alongside the NCP chief, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two experienced pilots—Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak—perished in the fire. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, visibly shaken, has declared a three-day state mourning and a public holiday today as a mark of respect. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been summoned from Delhi to conduct a high-level probe into the technical or weather-related failures that led to this catastrophe.
A Legacy Cut Short: From Baramati to the Mantralaya
The impact of the Ajit Pawar plane crash is felt most deeply in his home turf of Baramati. Born on July 22, 1959, Ajit “Dada” Pawar was a titan of the cooperative movement and a master administrator who served as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra a record six times. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, and his sons, Parth and Jay Pawar. While his political journey was marked by a complex relationship with his uncle Sharad Pawar, the veteran leader has rushed to Baramati to join the grieving family.
Investigation and Final Rites
As the state prepares for a state funeral with full honors, the focus remains on the investigation into the Ajit Pawar plane crash. Preliminary findings from the DGCA highlight that the Baramati Airport lacked night-landing facilities, and the 800-meter visibility was insufficient for a safe descent. Political leaders across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, have expressed their deepest condolences, describing Pawar’s death as an “irreparable loss” to Indian administration.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Where exactly did the accident occur? A: The Ajit Pawar plane crash took place at the Baramati Airfield in Pune district, approximately 100 feet before the runway.Read the full biography and political timeline at
Q: Who is investigating the crash? A: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the DGCA are currently inspecting the site to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Q: Was there any SOS signal before the crash? A: Initial reports suggest there was no SOS; however, the captain had mentioned poor visibility to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) just moments before the Ajit Pawar plane crash.Full profiles of the victims are hosted on
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