Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar killed in Baramati Learjet crash; state announces mourning
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on January 28, 2026, when a chartered Learjet 45XR crashed during a landing attempt at Baramati Airport. The tragedy has triggered a political shockwave and an aviation investigation, with the state declaring a period of mourning and leaders across parties offering tributes.
What happened at Baramati Airport
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a chartered business jet crashed while trying to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district. Reports said the aircraft veered off during the approach, burst into flames, and was destroyed, leaving no survivors among those on board.
The aircraft involved was a Learjet 45XR operating a charter flight from Mumbai to Baramati. Authorities have said the crash occurred during an attempted landing, and early accounts pointed to challenging conditions as investigators began reconstructing the sequence of events.
Casualties, official response and mourning
Apart from Pawar, the crash also killed other occupants on the flight, including crew members. The Maharashtra government announced a three-day state mourning period, and flags were ordered to fly at half-mast as the state prepared official tributes.
Political leaders from across the spectrum expressed grief and condolences, underlining Pawar’s importance in state politics and the suddenness of the loss. The state also began arrangements to support the families of those who died in the crash.
Investigation: what comes next
India’s aviation safety agencies have moved to investigate the accident, focusing on flight data, air-traffic communications, weather at the time, aircraft maintenance history and crew actions. The aim will be to determine whether the crash was triggered by mechanical failure, visibility constraints, human factors or a combination of causes.
Officials are expected to release preliminary findings after initial forensics and site examination, while a full report will take longer as investigators verify each contributing factor.
Why this matters
The death of a serving deputy chief minister is both a major political event and a major aviation safety incident. Beyond the immediate political ramifications, the findings may lead to operational changes at regional airports, tighter charter-flight protocols, and renewed scrutiny of safety procedures during low-visibility approaches.