Ajit Pawar Dies In Baramati Plane Crash At 66

The skies over Maharashtra have witnessed both triumph and tragedy for Ajit Pawar, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief. Less than two years ago, Pawar faced a harrowing helicopter ride through dense monsoon clouds, only to emerge unscathed thanks to the steady nerves of his colleague, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. On January 28, 2026, however, fate took a cruel turn. Pawar, aged 66, died in a devastating Learjet 45XR crash near Baramati, Pune district, alongside four others, as the aircraft attempted an emergency landing. The incident has sent shockwaves across India’s political landscape, prompting an outpouring of grief from leaders of all stripes and raising urgent questions about aviation safety and the legacy of a leader lost too soon.

According to NDTV, that fateful morning saw the Learjet carrying Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members—Pilot-in-Command and Second-in-Command—approach Baramati under uncertain circumstances. As the jet attempted to land, it lost control. Witnesses described plumes of fire and smoke billowing from the wreckage, a sight that left bystanders and first responders shaken. Emergency and police officials rushed to the crash site, but there was little they could do. The tragedy unfolded quickly, leaving no survivors and a trail of unanswered questions in its wake.

Pawar’s career was marked by both resilience and a willingness to take on challenges head-on. In July 2024, he experienced a turbulent helicopter journey over Nagpur en route to Gadchiroli for a steel project launch. The helicopter, with Pawar, Fadnavis, and then-state industries minister Uday Samant on board, was buffeted by dense monsoon clouds and poor visibility. Anxiety grew as the chopper veered off course, but Fadnavis, who had survived six previous aviation mishaps, remained calm. He reassured Pawar, and the pilot skillfully navigated back on track, landing safely in Gadchiroli. Pawar later recounted, “Uday Samant told me to watch out for the landing site. I was relieved when I spotted it from the window.”

Eighteen months later, the outcome was tragically different. The Learjet’s crash has prompted a thorough investigation, with Maharashtra Police pledging to leave no stone unturned. Officials told NDTV that the wreckage and the crash site would be meticulously examined and photographed to determine the speed and angle of impact. The aircraft’s black box, containing the cockpit voice recording, will be a crucial piece of the puzzle, providing insights into the pilots’ conversations and decisions in the final moments. Investigators will also pore over the aircraft’s maintenance records and review all communications between the pilots and Air Traffic Control (ATC). External factors—weather, runway conditions, and wind direction—will be carefully assessed to establish what led to the deadly accident.

The loss of Ajit Pawar reverberated far beyond Maharashtra. Political leaders across India expressed their shock and sorrow, underscoring the depth of Pawar’s influence and the void his passing leaves. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took to social media, stating, “Reports have emerged of an accident involving the aircraft carrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during landing in Baramati, Maharashtra. The images of smoke and destruction are deeply distressing. It has been reported that the Deputy Chief Minister and others have perished in this accident.” Mann added, “We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We pray that God grants peace to the departed souls and gives strength to their families to bear this immense loss.”

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini echoed these sentiments, describing the demise of Pawar as “extremely heartbreaking and painful.” In his own message, Saini said, “In this difficult time, my deepest condolences are with his family, colleagues, and supporters.” The cross-party nature of the condolences was striking. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock and sadness, posting, “Shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the passing away of Maharashtra Deputy CM & NCP chief Sh. Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati. My heartfelt condolences to the Pawar family, his supporters, and the people of Maharashtra. May the Almighty grant eternal peace to his soul.”

Senior Congress leader from Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, also weighed in, saying, “Deeply saddened by reports of the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ji in a tragic air plane accident. My sincere condolences to the Pawar family and to the people of Maharashtra, who have lost an influential leader.” Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring joined in, further highlighting the widespread grief and respect for Pawar’s contributions.

Back in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, who had stood by Pawar during that nerve-wracking helicopter flight in 2024, was visibly shaken. He described Pawar’s death as “unbelievable” and lamented the loss of “a good friend.” Fadnavis told NDTV, “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more.” The sense of personal loss was palpable, and Fadnavis added that Pawar’s passing “has left a void that will never be filled.”

Investigators now face the daunting task of piecing together the sequence of events that led to the crash. The Maharashtra Police have assured the public that every avenue will be explored, from technical faults to human error and environmental conditions. As one official noted, “The cockpit voice recording will provide information about the pilots’ conversations and decisions in the final moments.” All records related to the maintenance of the aircraft will be reviewed, and the pilot’s communication with Air Traffic Control will be scrutinized to determine whether any last-minute issues or miscommunications played a role. Weather, runway conditions, and wind direction are also on the list of factors being examined.

The tragedy has reignited conversations about aviation safety, particularly for public officials who often travel by air to meet the demands of their roles. In the wake of Pawar’s death, some have recalled the close calls and narrow escapes that have marked Indian political history, while others are calling for renewed investment in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and emergency preparedness.

For now, the focus remains on honoring Ajit Pawar’s memory and supporting the families of all those lost. As tributes continue to pour in from across the political spectrum, one thing is clear: Pawar’s legacy—as a leader, a colleague, and a friend—will not soon be forgotten. The investigation into the crash may eventually yield answers, but the sense of loss felt by Maharashtra and the nation will linger for years to come.