Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar, 4 others killed in plane crash

Baramati: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on Wednesday when a private aircraft crashed near Baramati airport in Pune district. The tragic death of the 66-year-old leader has created a major political vacuum in the BJP-led state government and raised uncertainty about the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which he headed.

Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Pune district to address four rallies for the February 5 zilla parishad elections. His uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar termed the crash an accident and appealed that it should not be politicised.

Those killed along with Pawar were Captain Sumit Kapoor, who had over 15,000 hours of flying experience, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak with 1,500 hours, Pawar’s personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, and flight attendant Pinky Mali.

According to an official government statement, the 16-year-old Learjet aircraft, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, attempted to land at the Baramati airport after facing visibility issues. The aircraft carried out a “go-around” — a standard aviation procedure — after the runway was not visible on the first approach. During the second attempt, although the aircraft was cleared to land, the crew did not provide the mandatory “read-back” to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Moments later, the aircraft burst into flames near the runway edge.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the aircraft contacted Baramati ATC at 8.18 am after being released by Pune approach control. The crew was informed that winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 metres. While on final approach, the pilots reported that the runway was not in sight and initiated a go-around. Seconds later, they reported “runway in sight” and were cleared to land at 8.43 am. At 8.44 am, flames were observed near the runway threshold.

Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, where traffic information is typically shared by local flying instructors and pilots. VSR Ventures owner V K Singh said the pilot likely carried out a missed approach due to poor visibility.

Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes as the aircraft appeared unstable, tilted sharply, and exploded on impact. Several loud blasts were heard, and debris was hurled towards nearby residential areas. Emergency services and fire brigade personnel rushed to the site immediately, but all five occupants were declared dead.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe and will analyse the aircraft’s black box to determine why the crew struggled to maintain visual contact with the runway despite reported visibility.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed the crash occurred amid poor visibility. Maharashtra Police officials said the victims were shifted to ambulances shortly after the crash.

Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay. Leaders including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep condolences.

The Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning. Pawar’s last rites will be held with full state honours in Baramati on Thursday, with senior national leaders expected to attend.