Ajit Pawar Dies In Baramati Plane Crash Tragedy

In a devastating turn of events early Wednesday morning, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives when a Bombardier Learjet 45 business jet crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:48 a.m. on January 28, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the political and aviation communities alike, prompting immediate investigations by national regulatory bodies and sparking an outpouring of grief across Maharashtra.

According to The Economic Times and India Today, the ill-fated aircraft, registered as VT-SSK and operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., was on a flight from Mumbai to Baramati for a planned political rally. On board were Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members—pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Sambhavi Pathak. Tragically, there were no survivors.

Eyewitnesses and visuals from the crash site depicted a harrowing scene: the jet, after losing control during its landing approach, made hard contact with the runway threshold and immediately burst into flames. Emergency responders rushed to the site, but the aircraft was found completely destroyed, leaving no hope for those on board. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) quickly dispatched teams to Baramati to begin a formal probe, as confirmed by The Sunday Guardian.

The crash has raised urgent questions about the safety of business jet operations in India, especially in the context of VSR Ventures’ recent history. The company, led by Vijay Kumar Singh and Rohit Singh, operates a fleet of 17 aircraft providing charter, medivac, and private jet leasing services across major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhopal. VSR Ventures claims over 15 years of experience, employs more than 60 pilots, and boasts a 99% customer satisfaction rate. Yet, this is not the first time the company’s operations have come under scrutiny.

Just over two years ago, on September 14, 2023, another Learjet 45XR operated by a VSR-linked entity crash-landed at Mumbai Airport during heavy rain and low visibility. In that incident, all eight occupants survived, though several were injured and the fuselage broke into two sections. Investigators later determined that the aircraft drifted off course after autopilot was disconnected, with multiple cockpit warnings—including stall and terrain alerts—sounding before landing. The recurrence of a fatal event involving the same operator and aircraft model has intensified regulatory focus and will almost certainly be a central aspect of the current DGCA investigation.

In the aftermath of Wednesday’s tragedy, VSR Ventures owner Vijay Kumar Singh spoke to the media, insisting that the crashed aircraft was “100% safe” and operated by a “fairly experienced” crew. Singh stated, “The aircraft was very well-maintained and there was absolutely no problem with it.” He added, “We have lost our pilots, our passengers. It is a very difficult moment for the company.” Singh confirmed that Captain Sumit Kapoor had logged approximately 16,000 flight hours, while First Officer Sambhavi Pathak had around 1,500 hours. While Singh acknowledged that poor visibility may have played a role, he emphasized that the final conclusion would depend on the DGCA’s findings. “Why should I ground them? They are all fit aircraft. The Learjet worldwide is a very, very dependable aircraft,” Singh remarked when asked about the future of the company’s remaining fleet.

The Learjet 45 itself, as described by The Indian Express and India Today, is a twin-engine light business jet favored for corporate and VIP travel due to its speed, efficiency, and ability to operate from smaller regional airports like Baramati. The aircraft involved in the crash was 16 years old, registered as VT-SSK with serial number 45-417. Its compact design and high speed make it suitable for short and medium sectors, but the accident underscores that even well-maintained jets can encounter catastrophic issues during critical flight phases such as landing.

Investigators from the DGCA and AAIB are expected to examine a range of factors, including aircraft systems, crew actions, weather conditions, operational factors, and the possibility of technical failures. Recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder will be crucial in reconstructing the final moments of the flight and determining the root cause of the crash. Maharashtra police have registered an accident case, and a comprehensive report from the DGCA is awaited to clarify what led to the loss of control and subsequent fire upon landing.

The crash has not only brought the spotlight onto aviation safety but has also cast a pall over Maharashtra’s political landscape. Ajit Pawar, a veteran leader and the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, was en route to a political event linked to the upcoming local elections. His sudden and tragic death, along with the loss of four others, has drawn heartfelt condolences from across the political spectrum and left a leadership vacuum in the state’s administration. As The Sunday Guardian noted, the impact of this loss is being deeply felt, with both leaders and citizens expressing sorrow and disbelief.

Meanwhile, the aviation community is bracing for the findings of the DGCA investigation, which could have significant implications for the operation of light business jets in India. The recurrence of serious incidents involving VSR Ventures’ Learjets in such a short span is likely to prompt a broader review of safety protocols, pilot training, and operational oversight—especially at smaller airports where weather and runway conditions can be unpredictable.

As the formal probe gets underway, authorities are expected to provide further updates, and the families of the victims, as well as the broader public, await answers. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in aviation and the ongoing need for vigilance, transparency, and accountability in ensuring passenger safety.

For now, Maharashtra mourns the loss of a key political leader and four others, while the investigation seeks to bring clarity to a day marked by shock and sorrow.