Ajit Pawar Dies in Baramati Plane Crash: Full Timeline, Legacy, and Maharashtra State Mourning Updates
Pune/Baramati, January 28, 2026: At 8:45 AM on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the political landscape of Maharashtra was irrevocably changed. In a tragedy that has sent shockwaves from the sugar belts of Western Maharashtra to the corridors of power in Delhi, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed when his chartered aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airfield. The 66-year-old leader, affectionately known as “Dada” to millions, was on his way to his home turf to address public rallies ahead of the crucial Zilla Parishad elections when the unthinkable occurred.
The aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation, reportedly encountered dense fog and “poor visibility” during its descent. According to eyewitnesses and preliminary reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the jet appeared unstable on its second approach, veered off the runway threshold, and exploded into a ball of fire upon impact. Along with Mr. Pawar, four others on board, including his personal security officer, an attendant, and two experienced pilots, perished in the accident.
#WATCH | Crash landing in Baramati | Five people onboard the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane, including Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, died as per initial information by the DGCA.
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
Visuals from the spot. pic.twitter.com/6MHqTi6gna
For Pune and the wider Maharashtra region, this is more than just a headline; it is the end of an era. Ajit Pawar was the “architect of Baramati” and a seven-time MLA whose administrative grip on the state was unparalleled. His sudden demise creates a massive power vacuum in the NCP and the Mahayuti alliance, leaving followers and rivals alike in a state of profound grief. As the state government declares a three-day period of mourning and a public holiday today, PuneNow provides this comprehensive, minute-by-minute account of the incident, the subsequent investigation, and the towering legacy left behind by one of Maharashtra’s most influential sons.
The Final Flight: A Minute-by-Minute Timeline
The ill-fated journey began at 8:10 AM at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar boarded the Bombardier Learjet 45 (Registration VT-SSK), operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures. He was accompanied by four others: his Personal Security Officer (PSO) Vidip Jadhav, his personal attendant Pinky Mali, and the flight crew, Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.
The 40-minute flight was routine until the aircraft reached the airspace above Baramati. At 8:38 AM, the pilots established contact with the Baramati airfield. However, the region was blanketed in a thick layer of seasonal morning fog, with visibility reported at approximately 800 meters.
- 8:42 AM: The pilot reported that the runway was not visible and initiated a “go-around” procedure, circling the airfield to wait for a window of clarity.
- 8:45 AM: The aircraft disappeared from the flight radar.
- 8:48 AM: After reporting “runway in sight,” the jet attempted a second approach to Runway 11.
- 8:50 AM: Eyewitnesses near the runway threshold saw the aircraft appear “unstable” and tilt sharply to one side. The wing clipped the ground, causing the jet to veer off the tarmac and explode upon impact.
The Scene at Baramati Airfield
The explosion was followed by four to five consecutive blasts as the fuel tanks ignited. Local residents and airport staff rushed to the site, but the intensity of the inferno made rescue impossible. “We tried to pull them out, but the fire was too fierce. We could only watch in horror,” one witness told media persons.
"Could not pull people out due to massive fire": Eyewitness to Baramati plane crash mourns Ajit Pawar's demise
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 28, 2026
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/BWNGQfsWmo#baramatiplanecrash #AjitPawar #AjitPawarPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/UUeTUd5v84
By the time fire tenders from the Baramati Municipal Council arrived, the aircraft had been reduced to a charred skeleton. Officials confirmed that all five occupants died instantly. In a heartbreaking detail, authorities noted that the bodies were unrecognizable; the Deputy CM was initially identified by his wristwatch, which remained partially intact despite the blaze.
A State in Mourning: Responses and Investigations
As news reached Mumbai and Delhi, the political machinery of the country came to a standstill. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde immediately cancelled all scheduled meetings. The Maharashtra Government has officially declared a three-day period of state mourning (January 28–30) and a public holiday today as a mark of respect.
उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार यांच्या निधनाच्या पार्श्वभूमीवर राज्यात तीन दिवसांचा शासकीय दुखवटा जाहीर करण्यात आला आहे. तसेच आज (दि. २८ जानेवारी २०२६) शासकीय सुटी जाहीर करण्यात आली आहे.
— MAHARASHTRA DGIPR (@MahaDGIPR) January 28, 2026
National Condolences:
- PM Narendra Modi: Described Pawar as a “leader of the people” with a legendary grassroots connection.
- Sharad Pawar & Family: The veteran leader, along with MP Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar, immediately left Delhi for Baramati.
- Security & Probe: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has ordered a high-level probe. A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already been dispatched from Delhi to Baramati to examine the wreckage and the flight data recorder (Black Box).
The Technical Focus: VT-SSK and VSR Ventures
While the owner of VSR Ventures, VK Singh, maintained that the aircraft was “100% safe” and had undergone its last regulatory audit in February 2025, the investigation will focus on the lack of night-landing and advanced instrumentation at Baramati Airport. The combination of dense fog and the pilots’ struggle to maintain stability during the second approach remains the primary area of inquiry for the DGCA.
The “Dada” of Baramati: 40 Years of Administrative Iron
Ajit Pawar was often called the “most accessible” leader in Maharashtra. Known for his 6:00 AM meetings at the council hall, he earned a reputation as a no-nonsense administrator who could clear a stack of files in minutes that would take others months.
Born on July 22, 1959, his political journey began in 1982 in the sugar cooperative sector. By 1991, he was the Chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative (PDCC) Bank, a role he held for 16 years, cementing his grip on Western Maharashtra’s rural economy. His seven consecutive wins from the Baramati Assembly constituency (1991–2024) are a testament to his grassroots popularity.
The Political Maverick: 2019 and 2023
No record of Ajit Pawar is complete without the mentions of his bold, and often controversial, political maneuvers.
- The 2019 “Dawn Oath”: His early morning swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis remains one of the most discussed events in Indian political history.
- The 2023 Split: Leading a vertical split in the NCP to join the Mahayuti government showcased his belief in “development over ideology,” a move that eventually led the Election Commission to award him the party name and symbol in 2024.
The Impact on the Zilla Parishad Elections
The tragic timing of the crash, occurring while he was en route to four campaign rallies, leaves the NCP and the Mahayuti alliance in a precarious position. For Pune district, where he held total sway over the local bodies, the February 5 elections now face a cloud of uncertainty. Political analysts suggest that the “sympathy wave” in Baramati and surrounding tehsils will be unprecedented, yet the lack of a clear successor of his stature poses a long-term challenge for the party.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ajit Pawar’s Death
Q1: How did Ajit Pawar die? A: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash at Baramati Airfield on January 28, 2026. His chartered Bombardier Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crashed during landing due to poor visibility and dense fog, bursting into flames upon impact.
Q2: Who else was on the plane with Ajit Pawar? A: There were five people on board. Along with Ajit Pawar, his PSO Vidip Jadhav, personal attendant Pinky Mali, and the flight crew, Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, all tragically perished.
Q3: Is there a public holiday in Maharashtra today? A: Yes. The Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on January 28, 2026, and a three-day state mourning period until January 30 to honor the late Deputy CM.
Q4: Where will Ajit Pawar’s funeral be held? A: The funeral of Ajit Pawar will be held in his hometown, Baramati, tomorrow (January 29). Thousands of followers and dignitaries from across India are expected to attend.
Q5: What was the cause of the Baramati plane crash? A: While the official AAIB and DGCA probe is ongoing, preliminary reports suggest “poor visibility” (approx. 800m) and the lack of advanced landing instrumentation at Baramati airport contributed to the crash.
The passing of Ajit Pawar is not just the loss of a Deputy Chief Minister; it is the falling of a pillar that sustained the political and cooperative structure of Maharashtra for over three decades. Whether one agreed with his politics or not, his commitment to the development of Pune and the welfare of the “Samanaya Manus” (Common Man) was undeniable.
As the tri-color flies at half-mast across the Mantralaya and the Vidhan Bhavan, the people of Pune bid a heavy-hearted farewell to their “Dada.” The silence in Baramati today is a tribute to a man who never stopped working until his final moments in the sky.
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