In a tragic air accident in western India on January 28, 2026, a chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other people crash-landed and burst into flames near Baramati in Pune district, killing everyone on board. The crash occurred early Wednesday morning as the aircraft attempted to land at Baramati Airport after departing from Mumbai.
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It went down around 8:45 am local time, just short of the runway threshold, before erupting into a fireball that made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
On board were five people in total — Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members (a pilot and first officer). Officials confirmed that no one survived the crash. Emergency crews rushed to the site, but the intensity of the blaze and multiple explosions at the scene made recovery efforts challenging.
Ajit Pawar, a senior leader and influential political figure in Maharashtra, was travelling to his home region of Baramati to attend a series of public meetings ahead of upcoming local elections. Known for his decades-long political career and strong grassroots support, Pawar’s sudden death has sent shockwaves across the state.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “shocking and saddening,” praising Pawar as a leader deeply connected with the people. Other senior officials, including the Union Home Minister, also conveyed their condolences and spoke with Maharashtra’s Chief Minister to offer support to the grieving family and state government.
The DGCA has launched a formal investigation into the crash, examining possible technical issues, weather conditions, or procedural factors that may have contributed to the accident. Initial eyewitness accounts indicated that the plane appeared to lose control during its final approach, though authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
As the nation mourns, officials are focused on determining the cause and improving safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.