Baramati, Jan 28 (V7N) — Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others in a plane crash on Wednesday morning.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and multiple news agencies, a Learjet 45 aircraft carrying Pawar crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati Airport in the Pune district. 

The privately chartered jet (registration VT-SSK) took off from Mumbai and was heading to Baramati, where Pawar was scheduled to attend events linked to upcoming local elections. 

The aircraft lost control near the runway around 8:45 am and crash-landed in an open field near the airport. 

All five people on board died in the crash — including Ajit Pawar, two crew members (pilot and co-pilot) and two of his staff. 

Scene footage and eyewitness accounts described debris strewn across the site, large flames, and thick smoke, with emergency teams responding as locals watched. 

According to early flight and aviation reports:

  • Ajit Pawar
  • Two pilots
  • Personal security officer
  • Flight attendant / staff member 

State and national leaders, including India’s Prime Minister, are reported to have reached out to Maharashtra officials following the crash. Authorities have already launched a DGCA investigation to determine the cause. 

Ajit Pawar, 66, was a veteran politician and long-serving Maharashtra deputy chief minister, with influence in regional and state politics, and ties to the Nationalist Congress Party and allied coalitions. 

END/SMA/AJ