/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130344212z-iw-new.png)
/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130332454z-iw-new.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/media_files/2026/01/28/ajit-pawar-died-in-baramati-plane-crash-2026-01-28-17-06-30.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/member_avatars/2025/09/08/2025-09-08t141648584z-image-3-2025-09-08-19-46-50.jpg)
Ajit Pawar Was Flying Onboard an Civil Aircraft that had a Patchy Track Record
Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar died after the aircraft he was travelling on crash-landed in Baramati on Wednesday (January 28, 2026). Eyewitnesses to the Baramati plane crash reported hearing multiple explosions followed by a massive fire at the crash site.
Ajit Pawar Passed Away
The deputy CM was travelling to Baramati to address a public rally ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The Learjet 45 aircraft was scheduled to take off at 7:00 AM. Instead, it took off at 8:10 AM, and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) received information about the crash at 9:12 AM.
The plane had a total of five people on board: Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, with two more personnel (one PSO and one attendant) and two crew members (pilot-in-command and the first officer).
The civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu said that the initial report suggests that the visibility was poor when the aircraft attempted landing in Baramati.
What Did Witnesses Reveal?
"I saw it with my eyes. This is really painful. When the aircraft descended, it seemed it would crash, and it did crash. It then exploded. There was a massive explosion," an eyewitness told news agency ANI. The witness added that after the crash and fire, at least four to five additional explosions were seen and heard at the crash site.
“More people came here, and they tried to pull the people out (of the aircraft). But since this was a huge fire, people could not help. Ajit Pawar was onboard and this is really painful for us," he added.
Videos of the plane crash showed billows of smoke rising from some of the burning wreckage of the plane, scattered across an open field.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware said that “The aircraft, VT SSK, was attempting to land and the aircraft went on the side of the runway and exploded on crashing.”
RSS Pays Tribute
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has paid tribute to Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. “The sudden demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar in a plane crash today is deeply unfortunate and tragic. He had a long and influential public life. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh offers its heartfelt tributes and prays to God to grant peace to his soul. Om Shanti”, an official statement read.
Tributes have poured in from several leaders, including PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah, Pawar's co-deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
Indian CMs Died in Plane Crash
India has witnessed several Chief Ministers and top political leaders lose their lives in air crashes. The list includes Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Arunachal Pradesh’s Dorjee Khandu. Another prominent figure, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who passed away in a major plane crash in 2025.
Final Thoughts
The national flag will be flown at half mast across the state. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a three-day state mourning over his death. These incidents underscore the risks associated with air travel for public figures and serve as a reminder of the importance of stringent aviation safety standards.