Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar killed as chartered Learjet crashes while landing at Baramati

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, after a chartered business jet crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. Officials said the flight had departed Mumbai earlier in the morning and went down near the runway area during the landing sequence. Four other people on board also died, according to reports carried by Indian media quoting aviation and government sources.

Initial accounts indicated that the aircraft made more than one landing attempt. A source quoted by PTI said the pilot flagged poor visibility near the runway shortly before the crash. Flight-tracking data referenced in multiple reports showed the aircraft disappearing from radar around the time of the accident. The jet was identified as a Learjet in reports, and the incident quickly drew national attention because of Pawar’s high political profile and his central role in Maharashtra politics.

State mourning, tributes and investigation

The Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning through 30 January, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast on government buildings and official events scaled back during the period. Leaders from across parties issued condolence messages, while supporters gathered in Baramati and Pune as details of funeral arrangements began to emerge. Media reports said the funeral was expected with full state honours, reflecting the office he held and his long tenure in public life.

Aviation authorities said the crash is under investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other agencies are expected to examine flight data, communications, aircraft maintenance records and weather conditions. Questions that investigators typically probe include whether the aircraft encountered sudden visibility changes, whether there was any technical malfunction, and whether runway approach conditions contributed to the loss of control.

What happens next

• Investigators will secure the site and recover key components and recordings to establish the sequence of events.
• Authorities are likely to review air-traffic control communications and approach clearances around the crash window.
• A preliminary report may follow in the coming weeks, with a final report after deeper technical and operational analysis.

As Maharashtra absorbs the political shock, the focus is expected to remain on two tracks: mourning and continuity in governance on one side, and a fast-moving aviation probe on the other. Until investigators publish verified findings, officials cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from early claims about visibility or technical issues.