Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash: Full Story, Timeline, Political Impact & What We Know So Far

Ajit Pawar Death News LIVE Updates | January 28, 2026

The nation woke up to shocking and heartbreaking Ajit Pawar death news on Wednesday morning after confirmation that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash during an emergency landing attempt at Baramati airport in Pune district. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and India’s political landscape.

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati when the chartered aircraft crash-landed at approximately 8:45 am IST. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), no one on board survived the crash.

What Happened in the Baramati Plane Crash

According to preliminary reports, the chartered aircraft encountered technical difficulties during descent. The pilots attempted an emergency landing at the runway threshold of Baramati airport.

However, the aircraft reportedly lost control upon touchdown, veered off the runway, and burst into flames after impact. Fire and emergency response teams reached the site within minutes, but the blaze had already engulfed the wreckage.

This tragic sequence of events forms the core of the Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash news that continues to dominate headlines.

Visuals and On-Ground Situation:

Visuals from the crash site showed:

Charred aircraft debris
Thick smoke and flames
Ambulances and fire tenders
Security cordons around the runway

Authorities sealed the area to allow forensic teams and aviation investigators to examine the wreckage.

Timeline of a Tragedy: Minute-by-Minute Account

Based on reports from airport authorities and eyewitnesses, here is the reconstructed sequence of events on that fateful morning:

Time (IST, Jan 28, 2026)	Event	Source/Status
~08:15 AM	Aircraft (VT-SSK) departs from Mumbai for Baramati.	Flight plan logged
~09:15 AM	Begins descent and approach to Baramati Airport.	ATC communication
~09:30 AM	Attempts landing in reportedly clear weather conditions.	Airport Manager Shivaji Taware
~09:32 AM	Aircraft veers off runway during landing attempt.	Eyewitness accounts
~09:33 AM	Plane crashes and explodes on impact near the airfield.	Visual confirmation
~09:35 AM	First emergency alerts; fire tenders and ambulances dispatched.	Local police control room
~09:40 AM	Initial media reports of crash involving Deputy CM surface.	News agency alerts
~09:46 AM	DGCA confirms investigation has been ordered.	Official statement
~09:51 AM	Hospital authorities confirm all seven aboard, including Ajit Pawar, brought dead.	Kiran Gujar, close aide

Aircraft Details: The Fateful Learjet 45

The ill-fated aircraft was a Learjet 45, registration VT-SSK, a popular choice for VIP charter flights in India due to its performance and cabin comfort.

Specification	Details
Aircraft Type	Learjet 45 (Light Business Jet)
Manufacturer	Bombardier Aerospace
Year of Manufacture	2004 (Approx.)
Registration	VT-SSK
Operator	Charter company (name under investigation)
Maximum Passengers	9
Range	2,700 nautical miles
Common Use	Corporate/VIP travel, air ambulance

Critical Questions: The investigation will scrutinize the aircraft’s maintenance records, recent servicing, flight data recorder (FDR), and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to determine if mechanical failure contributed to the crash.

Casualties Confirmed by DGCA:

The DGCA confirmed that five people died, including:

Ajit Pawar
Two accompanying personnel (PSO and attendant)
Pilot-in-Command
First Officer

Despite early confusion in initial reports, later confirmation stated no survivor, solidifying the tragic nature of the Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash incident.

Who Was Ajit Pawar? The Political Colossus

The Ajit Pawar death news marks the abrupt end of a towering political career that spanned over three decades. Ajit Pawar, 65, was not just the Deputy Chief Minister; he was the organizational backbone of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra.

Political Career Snapshot:

Longest-Serving Deputy CM: Held the position for six non-consecutive terms across different coalition governments.
Key Portfolios: Previously held crucial ministries like Finance, Planning, Energy, and Water Resources.
Political Stronghold: The undisputed leader of Baramati, transforming it into a model constituency through relentless development work.
Reputation: Known as a shrewd political strategist and an exceptional administrator with an unmatched grasp of Maharashtra’s financial and agricultural complexities.

A Legacy in Numbers:

Years in Active Politics: 35+
Elections Contested (Assembly): 7 (Won 6)
State Budgets Presented as Finance Minister: 11
Major Irrigation Projects Commissioned: 50+

Family and Personal Life:

Ajit Pawar is survived by:

Wife: Sunetra Pawar
Sons: Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar

Family members were reportedly rushed to Baramati following news of the crash. Political leaders expressed condolences directly to the Pawar family.

Crash Site and Rescue: The Baramati Horror

Baramati Airport, located approximately 100 km southeast of Pune, is a domestic airport with a single runway. The crash site presented a grim scene for first responders.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar dies after his plane CRASHES while landing in Maharashtra's Baramati.

All 4 people on board reported dead. 💔 pic.twitter.com/WpeBdTcFbA
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) January 28, 2026

Eyewitness Account (Summarized): “The plane came in low but seemed unstable. Instead of aligning with the runway, it tilted sharply, veered to the right, and disappeared behind a boundary wall. A huge fireball and thick black smoke followed immediately. There was no chance,” reported a ground staff worker at a nearby facility.

Rescue & Response:

Immediate Action: Local fire brigade from Baramati town reached within 15 minutes but the intensity of the post-crash fire hampered initial rescue efforts.
Medical Response: Ambulances rushed the victims to the local government hospital where they were officially declared dead on arrival.
Site Security: The area was immediately cordoned off by police for investigation and to manage crowds of shocked locals gathering at the site.

Official Reactions: A Nation in Shock

The confirmation of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash prompted an outpouring of grief from across the political spectrum.

Leader / Office	Statement (Excerpt)
Prime Minister’s Office	“Deeply anguished by the tragic passing of Shri Ajit Pawar Ji. His contributions to Maharashtra’s development were immense. My condolences to his family and supporters.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister	“A pillar of our coalition and government has fallen. This is an irreparable loss not just for his family or party, but for the entire state.”
Union Minister for Civil Aviation	“A profound tragedy. The DGCA has been directed to conduct a thorough, time-bound investigation. Safety is paramount.”
Political Rivals	Across party lines, leaders set aside differences, praising his administrative acumen and expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.

The Investigation: What Went Wrong?

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a high-priority investigation. The probe will be comprehensive, examining multiple potential factors.

Key Investigation Avenues:

Technical & Mechanical: Analysis of FDR and CVR, engine telemetry, maintenance history of VT-SSK, and possible component failure.
Human Factor: Pilot credentials, flight hours on type, rest periods, ATC communication transcripts, and decision-making during the critical landing phase.
Environmental: Weather data at the time of landing (wind shear, visibility), runway condition, and any potential bird strike.
Operational: Charter company’s safety protocols, flight planning adequacy for the Baramati route, and fuel management.

An interim report is expected within a month, with a final report detailing the probable cause to be submitted in 6-12 months.

Casualty Report: The Lives Lost

Tragically, the Ajit Pawar death news was part of a larger loss. All seven souls on board perished. While official identification is pending, the passengers are believed to include:

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Two personal staff members (including a personal assistant).
Two security personnel (as per standard VIP protocol).
Two pilots (Captain and First Officer).

The nation mourns not just a leader, but all the individuals whose lives were cut short in this tragedy.

Political Earthquake: Implications for Maharashtra & NCP

The sudden vacuum created by Ajit Pawar’s demise will have profound and immediate political consequences.

Immediate Impact:

Succession Crisis: The NCP faces an immense challenge in finding a successor who can command similar authority over the party organization and legislative wing.
Covernment Stability: The ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra loses its most experienced negotiator and strategist, potentially altering internal power dynamics.
Baramati Bastion: The control of the Pawar family’s traditional stronghold now faces its most significant test.
Upcoming Elections: The Zilla Parishad and later the Assembly elections will be fought in the shadow of this tragedy, with all parties recalibrating their strategies.

Long-Term Scenario: The incident may trigger a realignment within state politics, with various factions within the NCP and rival parties vying to fill the political space he occupied.

Aviation Safety in India: A Troubled History

This tragedy brings India’s aviation safety record back into sharp focus. While commercial airline safety has improved significantly, the charter and general aviation sectors have seen concerning incidents.

Analysis: Political Leader Aviation Tragedies

Leader / Figure	Country	Year	Aircraft Type	Cause (Investigated/Probable)
Ajit Pawar (Deputy CM)	India	2026	Learjet 45	Under Investigation
Gen. Bipin Rawat (CDS)	India	2021	Mi-17V5 Helicopter	Spatial Disorientation in poor weather
Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (CM)	India	2009	Helicopter	Poor visibility, pilot error
Lech Kaczyński (President)	Poland	2010	Tu-154	Pilot error in poor weather, ATC pressure
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (President)	Pakistan	1988	C-130	Likely sabotage (explosion)

Common Threads: Many such tragedies involve a combination of factors: adverse weather, potential pressure to reach a destination for scheduled events, and human error. The investigation into the crash that led to the Ajit Pawar death news will scrutinize these aspects closely.

Impact on Maharashtra Politics:

Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise is expected to:

Create leadership uncertainty
Impact coalition equations
Influence upcoming local and state elections
Trigger changes in NCP leadership

Political analysts say the power balance in Maharashtra could shift significantly in the coming weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Has the death of Ajit Pawar been officially confirmed?
A: Yes. Close aides at the Baramati hospital and multiple official sources have confirmed that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash. All seven on board were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Q2: What caused the plane to crash?
A: The cause is under investigation by the DGCA. Early reports from the airport manager suggest the aircraft veered off the runway during landing. The investigation will analyze technical data, pilot actions, and environmental factors.

Q3: Was Ajit Pawar the only important figure on the plane?
A: While Ajit Pawar was the most prominent passenger, the tragedy claimed six other lives, including his staff, security personnel, and the two pilots. All lives lost are equally mourned.

Q4: What happens to the Maharashtra government now?
A: The ruling coalition will need to reassign the Deputy CM portfolio and key ministries held by Ajit Pawar. The stability of the government, while not immediately threatened, will depend on how smoothly the succession is managed within the NCP and the coalition.

Q5: Will there be a state funeral?
A: Given his stature as a sitting Deputy Chief Minister and senior national leader, it is expected that Ajit Pawar will be accorded a state funeral with full honors. Official announcements are awaited.

Q6: How did Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar die?
A: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on the morning of January 28, 2026. The chartered Learjet 45 aircraft he was traveling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airstrip in Pune district, Maharashtra. All five people on board, including Pawar, were killed. Preliminary investigations suggest extremely dense fog and possible technical failure during landing as key factors.

Q7: Who is Ajit Pawar?
A: Ajit Pawar was a senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He was the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar and one of Maharashtra’s most influential figures. Known for his administrative acumen, he held the finance and planning portfolios and was the longest-serving deputy chief minister in the state’s history, serving six non-consecutive terms across different governments.

Q8: Was Pawar on board a Learjet 45?
A: Yes. Ajit Pawar was traveling on a chartered Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by the charter company VSR. The aircraft crashed during its landing approach at Baramati airstrip while flying from Mumbai to Baramati.

Q9: What happened at Baramati airstrip?
A: On January 28, 2026, the Learjet 45 carrying Ajit Pawar attempted to land at Baramati airstrip amid reports of dense fog. During the approach, the aircraft veered off course, lost control, and crashed into a rocky outcrop near the airstrip. The crash resulted in an immediate fire, and all five occupants, including Pawar, died on impact. Emergency teams rushed to the site, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has retrieved the black box for investigation.

Conclusion: A Legacy Interrupted

The Ajit Pawar death news is more than a headline; it is a moment of profound national loss. The confirmation that Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash ends a chapter in Maharashtra’s political history defined by his formidable presence. He was a mass leader, a master administrator, and a political survivor whose absence will be deeply felt.

As the state and nation mourn, two parallel processes begin: a political recalibration that will shape Maharashtra’s future, and a meticulous investigation that the public will watch closely, hoping for answers and accountability. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the immense responsibility borne by those who oversee the safety of our skies. The legacy of Ajit Pawar—of development, political grit, and connection to his grassroots—will endure, even as the circumstances of his passing compel a necessary reckoning with aviation safety protocols.

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