What Caused the Ajit Pawar Plane Crash? Investigation Underway at Baramati

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has reportedly died in a plane crash in Baramati today, January 28, 2026. 

Source : Mint

The Tragic Accident: What Happened at Baramati Airport?

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR, crashed at approximately 8:45 AM while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. Initial reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) state that all five people on board were killed. The victims include Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, one attendant, and two pilots. The flight had departed from Mumbai around 8:00 AM. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. Preliminary information suggests the plane encountered “severe technical difficulties and instability” during its final approach, leading to a crash-landing where it burst into flames on the runway. 

Context & Reactions :

• Final Post: Just an hour before the crash, Pawar had posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter) to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Official Response: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing Pawar as a “leader of people” with a strong grassroots connection.
• Family: Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar (a Rajya Sabha MP), and two sons, Parth and Jay Pawar. His uncle, veteran leader Sharad Pawar, and cousin Supriya Sule are reportedly travelling from Delhi to Pune following the news.