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LIVE: Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash, AAIB to Probe Accident

28 Jan 2026 9:41 AM IST

According to the DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am

LIVE: Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash, AAIB to Probe Accident

Rescue work underway after an aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed during landing, at Baramati in Pune district, Maharashtra (PTI)

Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar (66) and others landed near Baramati, they said.

According to Flight Radar, the flight took off from Mumbai at 8.10 am and it disappeared from radar around 8.45 am.

Pawar was traveling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.

There were five people on board when the aircraft crashed at 8.50 am, a police official said.

Superintendent of Police, Sandip Singh Gill, said that after the crash, there was a fire. "People onboard were immediately taken to the hospital," he said.

A source told PTI that the aircraft pilot had mentioned about poor visibility near the runway, before the aircraft attempted the landing.

The Learjet 45 (LJ45), a mid-size business jet aircraft produced by the Learjet Division of Bombardier Aerospace, went off the runway while attempting to land at Baramati airport and burst into flames, the source said.

Pawar is survived by wife Sunetra, a member of Rajya Sabha and two sons, Parth and Jay.

Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had contested the recent municipal corporation elections in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad in alliance with his uncle Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP).

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe the plane crash at Baramati airport that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday. The Learjet 46, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at the airport. There were five people onboard, including the crew members, according to the aviation regulator DGCA.

A senior official told PTI that the AAIB will be visiting the crash site and it will be investigating the accident.

AAIB is responsible for classifying safety occurrences involving aircraft operating in Indian airspace as accidents, serious incidents, or incidents. It carries out detailed investigations into accidents and also suggests measures to improve safety.

Live Updates

28 Jan 2026 11:29 AM IST
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati.Speaking to the media, Gadkari, while paying tribute, termed Pawar's passing as "unfortunate"."Ajit Pawar's death is unfortunate. He was my close friend in politics, and we also had familial relations. His passing away is a huge loss. On behalf of the party, I pay my tributes to him," he said.
28 Jan 2026 11:27 AM IST
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, and said his contribution to the western state's development left a lasting imprint. "Deeply pained by the passing away of Ajit Pawar ji, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in an unfortunate plane crash this morning.
"A seasoned leader who devoted his life to public service and towards the welfare of people, his contributions to state's development and governance have left a lasting imprint," Sarma said in a post on X.

Deeply pained by the passing away of Ajit Pawar ji, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra in an unfortunate plane crash this morning.

A seasoned leader who devoted his life to public service and towards the welfare of people, his contributions to state’s development and… pic.twitter.com/fIlsf5xoPq
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 11:16 AM IST

श्री अजित पवार जी हे जनतेशी घट्ट नाते असलेले, तळागाळाशी मजबूत नाळ असलेले लोकनेते होते. महाराष्ट्रातील जनतेच्या सेवेत सदैव अग्रभागी राहणारे एक मेहनती व्यक्तिमत्त्व म्हणून त्यांना व्यापक आदर होता. प्रशासकीय बाबींची त्यांना सखोल जाण होती. गरीब आणि वंचितांच्या सक्षमीकरणासाठीची… pic.twitter.com/Rn1E8OXQRm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 11:14 AM IST
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed deep shock and profound grief over the tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. The Chief Minister said Ajit Pawar’s sudden passing is an irreparable loss to public life and extended heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government of Maharashtra, and the people of the state. He prayed for strength to the bereaved family in this moment of immense sorrow.

"Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy has expressed deep shock and profound grief over the tragic demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash.

The Chief Minister said Shri Ajit Pawar’s sudden passing is an irreparable loss to public… pic.twitter.com/IaqX2iBuen
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 11:11 AM IST

महाराष्ट्र के बारामती में एक विमान दुर्घटना में महाराष्ट्र के उप मुख्यमंत्री, श्री अजित पवार समेत कई लोगों की मृत्यु का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। अजित पवार जी का असामयिक निधन एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। उन्हें महाराष्ट्र के विकास में, विशेषकर सहकारी क्षेत्र में, विशेष योगदान के लिए सदैव…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 11:10 AM IST

Visuals from #Baramati Medical College after a #planecrash claimed the life of Deputy CM #AjitPawar and 4 others.
The Learjet 45 aircraft, operated by VSR, crashed during landing, with no survivors.#AjitPawarPlaneCrash #baramatiplanecrash #MaharashtraPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/NQ7iefA7he
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 11:01 AM IST
Shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Maharashtra Deputy CM Shri Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash. His sudden demise is a great loss to public life and to Maharashtra politics, where he served with experience and resolve. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters, and prayers for strength in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar

Shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Maharashtra Deputy CM Shri Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash. His sudden demise is a great loss to public life and to Maharashtra politics, where he served with experience and resolve.

My heartfelt condolences to his family… pic.twitter.com/tOb4fH4hla
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 10:59 AM IST

आज एक दुःखद हादसे में महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री और NDA के हमारे वरिष्ठ साथी अजीत पवार जी को खो देने की सूचना से मन अत्यंत व्यथित है।

अजीत पवार जी ने बीते साढ़े तीन दशकों में जिस प्रकार महाराष्ट्र के हर वर्ग के कल्याण के लिए खुद को समर्पित किया, उसे शब्दों में व्यक्त नहीं किया…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 10:58 AM IST

#AjitPawar Full list of passengers who were on board the crashed plane which killed Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.#BreakingNews #news #Maharashtra #pawar pic.twitter.com/HG6KmTkRr2
— Manas Joshi (@ManasJoshi) January 28, 2026
28 Jan 2026 10:54 AM IST

"Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri #AjitPawar ji in a plane crash this morning. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and followers. Om Shanthi" posts #AndhraPradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu… pic.twitter.com/rSP1iWx5Ww
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 28, 2026