Maharashtra deputy CM, 5 others killed in plane crash in Pune

Maharashtra (RNI) Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning after a chartered plane crash in Baramati. Five people on board, including the crew, were killed when the plane, flying from Mumbai, crash-landed at 08:45 local time, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

“The crash landing of Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati,” the DGCA added. Pawar was accompanied by a personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. Details of the crash are awaited.

Pawar was travelling to attend a Zilla Parishad election rally. He had been in Mumbai on Tuesday for a Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Pawar held the post six times under different governments. He began his political career in 1982, was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991, and later vacated the seat for his uncle, Sharad Pawar.

Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar.Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers.

After Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and five others were killed in an aircraft crash, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput says, “I am shocked after hearing about Ajit Pawar’s plane crash. I am still praying to God, as I have not received any information confirming his death. I have been informed that he was taken to Mumbai in an injured condition by a chartered plane. We are all wishing for his well-being. Hearing about the horrific accident that took place in Baramati has left me stunned, and all aspects of this incident should be thoroughly investigated to determine whether this was a conspiracy and how the accident occurred.”

Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar and five others on board died after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Baramati town of Pune district on Wednesday morning.

The plane, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at around 8.45am, according to officials and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's death in a charter plane crash in Baramati, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant says," I always did what he said. He was a bold man. He had a big role in the development of the Baramati region. I express my condolences to the entire Pawar family."

Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar and five others on board died after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Baramati town of Pune district on Wednesday morning, news agency PTI reported, quoting an official.

The plane, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at around 8.45am, according to officials and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Ajit Pawar was on board along with two other personnel — a personal security officer and an attendant — and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command and first officer. As per initial information, no one on board survived the crash.

Sources said Ajit Pawar was scheduled to visit Baramati for an event related to the zilla panchayat elections. He had been in Mumbai on Tuesday, attending a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft’s wreckage engulfed in flames, as local villagers and emergency responders gathered at the spot.

DGCA occurrence report details:

Date: 28.01.2026

Operator: VSR

Aircraft type: Learjet 45

Aircraft registration: VT-SSK

Location: Baramati airport

Personnel on board: 5 (including crew)

Details: Aircraft crash-landed at Baramati; all on board died