Plane Crash Kills Indian Politician Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on January 28, 2026. The chartered aircraft he was traveling in crashed near Baramati airport in Pune district while attempting to land.
All five people on board died in the crash.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 8:45 am local time. The Learjet 45 business jet, registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR Aviation, was en route from Mumbai to Baramati. Pawar was scheduled to attend official engagements and public meetings for the Zilla Parishad elections in Baramati.
According to the Times of India, the aircraft lost control and crash-landed near the runway, breaking apart and catching fire. Eyewitness accounts and first responder reports indicate the wreckage was engulfed in flames shortly after the crash.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware told the Hindustan Times that the aircraft went off the side of the runway and exploded upon crashing. Eyewitnesses stated that the plane appeared unstable during its descent and drifted off the runway during touchdown.
Victims
Besides Ajit Pawar, those killed in the crash included two crew members, his personal security officer, and an attendant.
Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the accident, which will include a review of flight data and examination of operational records. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the air crash would be investigated.
Background
Ajit Pawar was 66 years old. He was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. Pawar served as Chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank for 16 years, from 1991 to 2007.
Conclusion
The plane crash resulted in the death of Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and four others. The incident occurred during a landing attempt at Baramati airport. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.
