Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 when the Learjet 45 he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in his home constituency. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft came down after a second approach, killing Pawar, two members of his staff and two crew members. Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 reported the jet was making a second approach when the accident occurred at about 08:45 local time (03:15 GMT). Authorities have not yet released an official determination of cause, and eyewitnesses described the aircraft exploding and catching fire on impact.
Key takeaways
- Fatalities: Five people were confirmed dead — Ajit Pawar (66), two staff members and two crew members, according to official statements and news reports.
- Date and time: The crash occurred on 28 January 2026 at approximately 08:45 IST (03:15 GMT) during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport.
- Aircraft and operator: The aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by a company named VSR, as reported by Indian media citing aviation sources.
- Flight origin and purpose: The jet departed Mumbai and Pawar was en route to a public rally tied to Zilla Parishad elections in Baramati.
- Preliminary flight detail: FlightRadar24 indicated the aircraft was attempting a second approach when it came down; the DGCA confirmed the crash but has not released a final cause.
- Political impact: Pawar was a senior figure in Maharashtra politics, widely influential in the state’s sugar belt and grassroots cooperative networks.
- Official reactions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Pawar’s death “very shocking and saddening” on X, noting his work for the poor and deprived.
Background
Ajit Pawar, 66, was deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and a leading member of the state’s political establishment. He was the nephew of Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and built his political base through decades of involvement in cooperative institutions, particularly in the sugar-producing districts of western Maharashtra. Pawar’s influence in the region extended to mobilising rural voters and shaping local administration, making him one of the state’s most consequential politicians.
Maharashtra is India’s second most populous state and a frequent stage for high-stakes regional politics; leaders with deep local networks often play decisive roles in state and coalition formations. The Zilla Parishad elections Pawar was due to attend are important for controlling rural governance bodies that manage local services and agricultural credit — areas where Pawar historically held sway. Air travel is a common mode of transport for senior Indian politicians between Mumbai and regional hubs, and the country has adopted evolving safety oversight measures under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in recent years.
Main event
The Learjet 45 left Mumbai on 28 January 2026 and approached Baramati Airport for landing, according to FlightRadar24 data cited by news outlets. Flight tracking services and local aviation officials said the aircraft was executing a second approach when the crash occurred just before 08:45 IST. The DGCA reported the aircraft came down at Baramati, within Pawar’s constituency, and confirmed multiple fatalities.
Eyewitnesses described a rapid sequence after impact: the aircraft reportedly burst into flames and several secondary explosions were heard. Rescue attempts were hampered by intense fire at the scene, witnesses told reporters, and local emergency services responded to extinguish the blaze and recover victims. Local authorities have cordoned off the airfield while investigators and emergency teams completed on-site procedures.
Initial news accounts identified the operator as VSR and the airframe as a Bombardier Learjet 45. Indian national and state agencies, led by the DGCA, have taken responsibility for securing the crash site and beginning a formal probe that will include flight data and cockpit voice recorders if available. At the time of reporting, investigators had not released definitive findings on mechanical failure, human factors, or environmental conditions.
Analysis & implications
The death of a senior state leader in an aviation accident has immediate political and administrative consequences in Maharashtra. Pawar’s passing removes a central figure in a region where local networks drive electoral outcomes and policy delivery, particularly in rural cooperative sectors. In the short term, the state government faces questions about succession in key portfolios and management of upcoming local elections where Pawar’s organisational strength was expected to play a role.
From a civil aviation perspective, the accident will likely prompt scrutiny of small-jet operations, operator oversight and airfield procedures at regional airports. Learjet 45s are used widely for VIP and business transport; investigators will examine maintenance records, operator compliance, crew training, air traffic control communications and weather at the time of approach. The DGCA’s investigation outcomes could lead to regulatory or enforcement actions if deficiencies are identified.
Nationally, the incident may renew debate on travel protocols for elected officials and the balance between speed of movement and safety controls. Given Pawar’s profile and the political sensitivity of Maharashtra, any findings that point to systemic issues could trigger wider administrative reviews and affect perceptions of aviation safety among political and business travellers.
Comparison & data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 January 2026 |
| Local time | ~08:45 IST (03:15 GMT) |
| Aircraft | Learjet 45 |
| Operator | VSR (reported) |
| Origin | Mumbai |
| Crash site | Baramati Airport, Baramati, Maharashtra |
| Fatalities | 5 (Ajit Pawar, 2 staff, 2 crew) |
The table above consolidates the factual details made public by aviation authorities and contemporaneous media reports. These items will form the basis of formal investigation steps: securing flight-recorders, reviewing maintenance and flight logs, and interviewing air traffic control and ground personnel. Any later revision of these figures or facts will come from official DGCA releases or court of inquiry findings.
Reactions & quotes
Political leaders and local actors responded quickly to the crash, expressing shock and condolence while officials launched investigative steps and emergency responses. The national government and state machinery mobilised resources for the on-site response and for handling the political fallout in Maharashtra.
“His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (post on X)
This short statement from the prime minister highlighted Pawar’s public profile and social outreach, framing national mourning and the political significance of the loss.
“The aircraft crashed in Baramati while attempting a landing; DGCA is investigating.”
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — official statement (reported)
The regulator’s brief confirmation established official responsibility for the investigation and indicated formal procedures would follow, including possible recovery of flight recorders.
“When we rushed to the spot, the aircraft was on fire. There were four to five more explosions.”
Local eyewitness (reported)
Eyewitness accounts describe the immediate scene and rescue difficulties; such accounts are valuable for chronology but must be corroborated by technical evidence.
Unconfirmed
- No official cause has yet been released; suggestions of mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather influence remain unconfirmed.
- Eyewitness descriptions of multiple explosions and the exact sequence of the onboard fire are preliminary and await technical corroboration.
- Reports identifying the operator as VSR and details about the aircraft’s maintenance status are based on initial media and registry checks and may be updated by formal DGCA findings.
Bottom line
The crash that killed Ajit Pawar and four others is both a human tragedy and a politically consequential event in Maharashtra. Pawar’s role as a grassroots organizer and senior state official means his death will reverberate through local governance and upcoming elections, while his absence creates immediate questions about leadership and continuity in areas he influenced.
On the aviation side, the incident will trigger a methodical DGCA investigation into aircraft, operator and procedural factors; any systemic findings could prompt regulatory adjustments impacting small-jet operations in India. For now, investigators, officials and the public await official reports that can distinguish confirmed facts from early accounts and speculation.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — international news report summarising event and official comments.
- The Times of India — national news outlet cited for timing and local reporting (media).
- FlightRadar24 — flight-tracking service referenced for approach/track data (flight tracking service).
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi (X) — official public reaction posted on social platform (official statement).
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — national aviation regulator; investigation lead (official agency).