News Desk: A chartered aircraft carrying Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed on Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district, according to preliminary information shared by aviation officials.
The Bombardier Learjet 45, registered as VT-SSK, reportedly went off the runway during a second landing attempt and crashed at around 8:45 am. Sources said Pawar was travelling to his hometown Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections when the incident occurred.
महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री अजीत पवार इसी प्लेन में सवार थे
प्लेन में सवार किसी भी यात्री को बचाया नहीं जा सका, विमान में अजित पवार उनके सहयोगी और एक PSO सहित कुल छह लोग सवार थे. #AjitPawar
ॐ शांति शांति शांति pic.twitter.com/cmNw4smL5O
— 🇮🇳Jitendra pratap singh🇮🇳 (@jpsin1) January 28, 2026
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as cited by officials, said five people were on board the aircraft, including the deputy chief minister. Initial reports claimed that all occupants were killed in the crash, though authorities said a detailed confirmation would follow after verification.
CCTV footage from the airport area has surfaced, capturing the moment the chartered jet veered off the runway and crashed. Fire and rescue teams rushed to the spot soon after the accident.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has departed for Pune and Baramati to inspect the crash site and initiate a formal investigation.
Airport officials said the aircraft, which had been chartered from Mumbai, lost control while landing. “The aircraft was attempting a landing when it went off the side of the runway and crashed,” an official said.
According to information available, the aircraft was being flown by pilots Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak. Mumbai Police PSO Head Constable Vidhit Jadhav, part of Pawar’s security detail, and flight attendant Pinky Mali were also reportedly on board.
The DGCA said the Learjet 45 involved in the crash had a history that will now come under scrutiny as part of the investigation. Authorities have urged restraint and said further details will be released after on-site examination and verification of facts.
Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to the Maharashtra deputy chief minister, saying that Pawar’s understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy.
