In a devastating blow to Indian politics, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on the morning of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, when his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land in his home constituency of Baramati.
The Fatal Incident: What Happened?
The aircraft, a 16-year-old Bombardier Learjet 45 (Registration: VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures, departed from Mumbai at 8:10 AM. The flight was scheduled to bring the NCP leader to Baramati for a series of high-level meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.
Timeline of the Crash
- 08:18 IST: The aircraft made initial contact with Baramati ATC.
- 08:30 IST: First unsuccessful landing attempt, likely due to poor visibility and dense fog.
- 08:42 IST: The pilot initiated a second approach.
- 08:44 IST: The aircraft disappeared from radar and crashed near the threshold of Runway 11.
- Impact: Eyewitnesses reported the plane exploded into a massive ball of fire immediately upon impact.
List of Victims
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that there were no survivors. All five individuals on board sustained fatal injuries:
| Name | Role |
| Ajit Pawar | Deputy CM of Maharashtra / NCP Leader |
| Sumit Kapoor | Pilot-in-Command |
| Sambhavi Pathak | First Officer |
| Vidip Jadhav | Personal Security Officer (PSO) |
| Pinky Mali | Attendant |
Preliminary Investigation: Why Did the Plane Crash?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a high-level probe. While a final report is pending, several factors are under scrutiny:
- Poor Visibility: Foggy conditions at Baramati airport (visibility reported at 800-3000m) may have disoriented the crew.
- Technical Snag: Investigators are examining if a mechanical failure occurred during the “short finals” phase of the second landing attempt.
- Tabletop Runway Risks: Baramati features a challenging tabletop-style runway, where errors in approach can lead to catastrophic drops.
Note: The operator, VSR Ventures, has come under fire as another of their aircraft crashed at Mumbai airport in late 2023.
State and National Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed profound grief, describing Pawar as a “grassroots leader” who was pivotal to Maharashtra’s development.
- State Mourning: The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning (January 28–30).
- Funeral Details: The final rites for Ajit Pawar will be held in Baramati on Thursday, January 29.
- Political Impact: The sudden demise of “Ajit Dada” leaves a significant power vacuum in the NCP and the Mahayuti coalition.
Key Information Table for Quick Reference
| Detail | Fact |
| Date of Crash | January 28, 2026 |
| Time of Crash | Approximately 8:45 AM IST |
| Location | Baramati Airport, Pune District |
| Aircraft Model | Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) |
| Primary Cause | Under Investigation (Suspected Low Visibility/Technical Issue) |