Maharashtra deputy chief minister killed along with four others as Learjet 45 goes down during landing attempt; DGCA orders probe, leaders across India mourn
MUMBAI (India CSR): India woke up to heartbreak on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a chartered business jet carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati in Pune district, killing everyone on board. The sudden loss of one of the state’s most recognisable political figures has triggered an outpouring of grief, stunned reactions from across party lines, and urgent questions about what went wrong in the aircraft’s final moments.
The aircraft, identified in initial reports as a Learjet 45 operating a Mumbai–Baramati sector, went down while attempting to land near the airfield on Wednesday morning. Television footage and photos from the site showed smoke rising from twisted wreckage scattered near the runway area, as emergency responders rushed to contain the blaze.
What happened: Crash during landing near Baramati
According to multiple reports citing aviation authorities, the Learjet was on approach to Baramati Airport/airstrip when it crashed close to the runway area. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has opened an investigation to establish the exact cause, including weather, visibility, approach profile, and any technical failures.
Some accounts describe difficulties during the landing sequence, including a possible aborted approach before the final impact. While details are still emerging, officials have indicated the probe will examine communications, cockpit decision-making, and flight data to reconstruct the final minutes.
Who was on board: Five dead in all
Authorities and media reports said five people died in the crash, including Pawar, two members of his staff/security detail, and two crew members. The fatalities were confirmed at the site, with no survivors reported.
The aircraft was travelling to Baramati, Pawar’s political home base, where he was scheduled to attend local political engagements linked to campaigning for local body elections.
A career that shaped Maharashtra politics
Ajit Pawar, 66, was among the most influential leaders in Maharashtra’s modern political landscape, known for his organisational strength and deep rural network, especially in the sugar belt. Over decades in public life, he held major portfolios and remained a central figure in alliance-making and government formation in the state.
His death creates immediate uncertainty within Maharashtra’s coalition politics and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ecosystem, where Pawar’s authority, administrative command, and mass connect were widely acknowledged—even by rivals.
Leaders react: Condolences pour in across party lines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, describing Pawar as a dedicated public servant and acknowledging his contribution to public life. Senior national leaders and state politicians also issued tributes as the scale of the tragedy became clear.
In Baramati and nearby areas, reports described emotional scenes as supporters gathered near hospitals and public spaces, many in disbelief as news of the crash spread rapidly through the morning.
Focus turns to safety: Questions around the airstrip and approach
As investigators begin their work, aviation experts and analysts are expected to scrutinise the operating environment at Baramati, including runway infrastructure and landing aids, as well as the flight’s approach in the prevailing conditions. Commentary has already surfaced around the challenges smaller airfields can present to business jets—particularly in low visibility, when visual references are harder to maintain.
It is still too early to assign responsibility. However, standard investigations typically examine runway conditions, weather reports, pilot training and duty time, aircraft maintenance records, and whether any warnings were triggered inside the cockpit during descent.
Investigation underway: What happens next
The DGCA-led process will likely include:
- Securing the wreckage and mapping the debris field
- Retrieving and analysing any available flight data and cockpit recordings (if equipped)
- Reviewing air traffic communications and meteorological information
- Checking maintenance and airworthiness documentation
Authorities are expected to release preliminary findings once initial evidence is reviewed. Until then, officials have urged caution against speculation, even as social media circulates unverified theories and partial clips that can mislead.
Funeral and mourning: Maharashtra prepares to bid farewell
Baramati, long synonymous with the Pawar family’s political legacy, is now preparing for an emotional farewell. Multiple reports indicated that final rites are expected to take place in Baramati, with large crowds anticipated as party workers, supporters, and political leaders arrive to pay respects.
Beyond the political ripple effects, the tragedy has also brought a renewed national focus on non-scheduled charter operations and the safety ecosystem around smaller regional airfields—an area that often receives attention only after high-profile accidents.
(India CSR)
