Ajit Pawar's Plane Was Attempting 2nd Approach To Airport When It Crashed

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed this morning, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45, was operated by a private company, VSR Ventures. It crashed around 8:45 am, killing 66-year-old Ajit Pawar and four other persons on board.

Indian media reporting the crash of a business jet this morning has claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and 4 others. The aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed. https://t.co/0RKiD9sZVU pic.twitter.com/1kcoWgc3I1

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 28, 2026

Ajit Pawar's plane reportedly lost control and crashed while landing at Baramati Airport. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.

An eyewitness said the plane crashed about 100 feet before approaching the runway.

"When the aircraft descended, it seemed it would crash, and it did. It then exploded and burst into a massive fire. 4-5 more explosions followed," the eyewitness said.

He said that locals rushed to the spot after the crash.

"People came and tried to pull out passengers from the aircraft. Due to the huge fire, they could not help," he said.

NCP Chief #AjitPawar Dies In Plane Crash, Was On Way To Campaign https://t.co/QIhkS2HAJj pic.twitter.com/4UogwCDrJJ

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 28, 2026

A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that there were five passengers onboard, including the NCP chief, his PSO and attendant, and two crew members (the pilot in command and the first officer).

Ajit Pawar left Mumbai around 8 am and was scheduled to address four election rallies in his hometown, Baramati, ahead of local body polls.

Ajit Pawar was born on July 22, 1959, in Deolali Pravara, a village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district. His father, Anantrao Pawar, worked at the renowned Rajkamal Studios in Mumbai (then Bombay). His academic pursuits were cut short after the death of his father. He completed his formal education up to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level from the Maharashtra State Board.

His uncle Sharad Pawar was already an established Congress figure in state politics by 1982, when he was elected to the board of a cooperative sugar factory at the age of 23.

Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, the daughter of Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, a former Maharashtra minister, and two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar.