Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a tragic plane crash on Wednesday morning after the aircraft he was travelling in crash-landed at Baramati airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that there were no survivors in the accident, which also claimed the lives of two crew members and two accompanying personnel.
The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Aviation and registered as VT-SSK, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati. According to officials, the jet attempted to land at around 8:45 am but went off the runway during the landing attempt and crashed near the airport premises. Emergency teams rushed to the site immediately, but the impact of the crash left no possibility of survival.
DGCA officials said Ajit Pawar was on board along with one personal security officer, one attendant, and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command and the first officer. Visuals from the crash site showed mangled wreckage of the aircraft, with ambulances and rescue teams deployed in large numbers.
Baramati airport manager Shivaji Taware said the aircraft lost control while attempting to land. He confirmed that the plane veered off the side of the runway before crashing. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and officials said more details will emerge after a technical examination of the wreckage and flight data.
Ajit Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address four public meetings ahead of the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. His sudden death has brought political activity in the region to a standstill, with leaders and supporters expressing shock and disbelief.
A close aide of Ajit Pawar, Kiran Gujar, confirmed the deputy chief minister’s death and said the bodies were taken to a local hospital. Pawar was 66 years old and is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and their two sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar.
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum as news of the tragedy spread. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Pawar’s untimely demise, describing him as a leader with strong grassroots connect and sharp administrative understanding. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed their condolences to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Several union ministers and chief ministers termed the incident an irreparable loss to Maharashtra and the nation. They remembered Ajit Pawar as a seasoned politician who played a significant role in state governance and remained committed to public service throughout his career.
The DGCA has ordered a detailed investigation into the crash to determine whether technical failure, weather conditions, or operational factors led to the accident. Authorities said the findings will be shared once the inquiry is completed.
Ajit Pawar’s death marks one of the most tragic aviation incidents involving a senior political leader in India in recent years, leaving Maharashtra in mourning and raising serious questions about aviation safety during VIP travel.