Ajit Pawar plane crash: Maharashtra deputy CM, 4 others on board dead after aircraft crashes in Baramati

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Aircraft was 100% safe and crew experienced, says VSR Aviation

Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar's aircraft crash-landed in Maharashtra's Baramati on Wednesday morning.

The NCP leader and four others onboard the aircraft died in the incident.

Footage aired across social media platforms showed the aircraft’s wreckage engulfed in flames.

Preliminary reports suggest the plane suffered technical issues during its final approach and there was a possible loss of control. Sources told CNN-News 18 that heavy fog in Baramati could have been the reason behind the aircraft crash. The plane reportedly crashed while passing through a hilly area.

Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also confirmed the incident, saying no person on board survived the crash. It said that the deputy chief minister was onboard along with two more personnel and two crew members.

According to information, the aircraft was a Learjet, described as a six- to eight-seater, with the registration VT-SSK. It had taken off from Mumbai at around 8.10 am, and Air Traffic Control was reportedly alerted to the crash at 9.12 am.

#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.

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Visuals from the spot. pic.twitter.com/6MHqTi6gna — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have dialled Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis after news of the incident emerged. Fadnavis reportedly cancelled his Konkan rally and will head to Baramati along with his deputy Eknath Shinde.

"Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers," PM Modi wrote on X.

Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026

Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said it was an "unfortunate" day for the people of Maharashtra. "It is an unfortunate day for Maharashtra. This is a painful incident for the whole of Maharashtra. Ajit Dada was a man of his word. We worked as a team when I was the CM, and he was Dy CM. As team we had started the Ladli Behen Yojana, and Ajit dada played an important role in it," he said.

Fadnavis said losing a leader like Pawar was an unprecedented loss. "In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra's development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family. I, along with Eknath Shinde ji, will go to Baramati today," the Maharashtra CM said.

Authorities are expected to issue a formal briefing once rescue efforts conclude and identities and casualties are verified.