Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar killed in Baramati plane crash; state announces mourning
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 after a Learjet 45 chartered from Mumbai crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors, and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, after a business jet carrying him crashed at Baramati airport in Pune district. Officials said the aircraft, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), was operating a charter flight from Mumbai to Baramati when it went off the runway area during landing and burst into flames.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all occupants on board the aircraft died. Local authorities said emergency teams reached the crash site quickly, but the impact and fire left no chance of survival.
Pawar had left Mumbai early for Baramati, where he was scheduled to attend multiple public engagements. The incident triggered a wave of political reactions across party lines, with leaders paying tributes and calling it a major loss for Maharashtra’s public life.
In the immediate aftermath, the Maharashtra government announced a period of state mourning. Administrative offices and agencies were asked to follow official protocols, while security arrangements were tightened for public gatherings as the state prepared for funeral-related ceremonies.
A formal probe has been initiated to determine the sequence of events leading to the crash. Investigators are expected to examine flight records, cockpit communications, maintenance history, weather and visibility conditions, and the aircraft’s approach and landing profile.
Aviation safety experts say accident investigations typically take time, as multiple factors can contribute to runway excursions or loss of control during landing. Authorities have not issued a final cause as of Wednesday afternoon, and the findings will depend on technical examination and evidence from the crash site.
The tragedy has also renewed attention on charter operations and safety oversight at smaller airports, especially during busy travel periods. Officials said more details will be shared as the investigation progresses and verified information becomes available.