Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were reportedly killed when their charter plane crashed at Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning, 28 January 2026, media including the India Today reported.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 flying from Mumbai, reportedly encountered severe technical instability during its final approach at 8:45 AM and burst into flames upon impact.

While initial reports suggested varying injury counts, senior officials and agencies like PTI and ANI have now confirmed the death of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and three others on board.

Emergency responders reached the site promptly, but the intensity of the blaze left the fuselage a mangled wreck, leading to a temporary suspension of all flight operations at the airstrip.

Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

The crash occurred as the veteran leader was arriving in his political bastion of Baramati to lead a series of critical public rallies for the ongoing Zilla Parishad and local body elections.

Eyewitnesses at the airport described a sudden jolt as the aircraft touched down before it veered off the runway and was engulfed in thick, black smoke. Just a day prior, Pawar had been in Mumbai attending a high-level Cabinet Committee meeting on infrastructure.

The news has plunged Baramati and the wider state of Maharashtra into a state of shock and mourning, with family members including Supriya Sule and Parth Pawar reportedly rushing to the site from Delhi and Mumbai.

Official Confirmation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have initiated a high-level probe into the technical cause of the disaster.

Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware confirmed that the aircraft, registered as VT SSK, exploded on impact after failing to maintain balance during the descent.

“It is confirmed that Ajit Pawar was inside the plane and has died along with three others on board,” an official stated to news agencies.

Preliminary findings point toward potential mechanical failure or engine instability during the final approach, though investigators are currently recovering the flight data recorder to provide a definitive account of the aircraft’s final moments.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of lives in Baramati. While the political implications of Ajit Pawar’s passing will be immense, we must first pause to acknowledge the human tragedy that has devastated multiple families.

This accident once again raises critical questions about the rigorous safety protocols and maintenance of charter aircraft, especially during high-pressure political seasons.

We believe that a transparent and swift investigation is essential to prevent such heart-wrenching losses in the future. We stand for a culture where technical accountability ensures that no more lives are cut short by preventable failures.