Baramati (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives on Wednesday morning after the chartered aircraft carrying them crash-landed near Baramati Airport in Pune district. The tragic incident occurred at around 8.45–8.50 am as the Bombardier Learjet-45 business jet was attempting to land, and all passengers and crew on board were confirmed dead, aviation and state officials said.
The devastating accident has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the country, coming at a time when Pawar, a seasoned politician and influential leader in the state’s cooperative and rural sectors, was campaigning ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for February 5.
Flight details and crash sequence
The aircraft, registered VT-SSK and operated by VSR Aviation, had departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, at around 8.10 am on Wednesday for the short flight to Baramati. Pawar was scheduled to attend multiple public meetings later in the day.
Preliminary information indicates the Learjet encountered difficulty during its final approach to runway 11 at Baramati Airport. Initial reports suggest it was making a second attempt to land after an earlier approach, possibly owing to poor visibility conditions on the morning of the incident.
Eyewitnesses described the aircraft as unstable as it descended. CCTV footage widely circulated on social media reportedly shows the plane crashing into open ground near the runway and immediately bursting into flames, followed by multiple explosions that made any rescue impossible.
Casualties and victims
Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), confirmed that all five individuals aboard were killed in the crash — Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, an attendant Pinky Mali, and two pilots — Sumit Kapur and Shambhavi Pathak.
Rescue personnel and local police reached the site shortly after the crash was reported. The wreckage was extensively damaged by fire, and bodies were recovered from the charred remains of the aircraft.
Initial reactions from leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis soon after the crash news emerged, expressing profound sorrow. In a message on X, he described Ajit Pawar as a leader deeply connected with the people and dedicated to public service, particularly for the poor and marginalised. His untimely death, the Prime Minister said, was “very shocking and saddening.”
Chief Minister Fadnavis, who cancelled his scheduled rally in the Konkan region, said the loss of Pawar was “unprecedented” and personally devastating. He announced his intention, along with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, to travel to Baramati. Shinde called the day “unfortunate for the people of Maharashtra,” recalling Pawar’s role in key state welfare schemes such as the Ladli Behen Yojana.
Aviation and investigation status
The DGCA has taken note of the crash and is expected to begin a detailed probe in conjunction with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap. Early hypotheses include potential weather challenges, such as reduced visibility due to fog, and technical or operational issues during landing.
Baramati Airport’s configuration — with approaches that can prove challenging under certain conditions — may also be examined as part of the investigation. The DGCA will review cockpit voice recordings, flight data, crew communications and meteorological information from the time of the accident.
Legacy of Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar, aged 66, was one of Maharashtra’s most prominent political figures, with a long career in state politics and influence across rural governance and cooperative institutions. As a scion of a well-known political family, his death represents a significant blow to his party and the broader political landscape of the state.
Conclusion
The plane crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others has left Maharashtra in mourning and raised pressing questions about aviation safety and emergency response protocols at regional airports. While the DGCA investigation unfolds, political leaders, citizens and supporters across the state are grappling with the sudden loss of a seasoned leader during an active election period.