Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning after the chartered Learjet 45 business jet carrying him and four others crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district. The aircraft, operated by VSR Aviation and registered VT-SSK, went down near the runway threshold and burst into flames, killing all five on board, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said as authorities confirmed there were no survivors. The flight had departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at about 08:10 local time, en route to Baramati where Mr Pawar was due to attend events connected with the Zilla Parishad elections. Flight-tracking data shows the Learjet disappeared from radar at around 08:45 while making a second landing attempt in conditions that were reportedly challenging.
Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene as the aircraft approached the runway, with several locals reporting seeing the jet fly low before it plunged toward the ground. One witness said there were multiple explosions and a heavy fireball upon impact, with thick black smoke rising from the wreckage scattered across an open field adjacent to the airstrip. Emergency services were quickly on site, but the intensity of the blaze prevented any rescue of those aboard.
Among the victims were Mr Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant and two pilots, including the first officer identified in some reports as Shambhavi Pathak. Authorities have so far declined to disclose all names pending formal identification, with some bodies reported to be unrecognisable from the force of the crash and identified only by clothing and belongings.
Mr Pawar, 66, was a dominant figure in Maharashtra politics and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party faction aligned with the governing coalition. He held the deputy chief ministership and was widely known for his influence in the state’s cooperative sector and rural development initiatives. His death prompted swift reactions from political figures across the spectrum, with chief ministers, union ministers and party leaders expressing shock and extending condolences to his family.
The Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning, with flags lowered as a mark of respect. The state’s Chief Minister described the crash as an immense loss for Maharashtra, emphasising the deputy chief minister’s long service and commitment to the state’s development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sorrow, praising Mr Pawar’s dedication to public service and his efforts in uplifting marginalised communities. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with the state leadership and characterised Mr Pawar’s passing as a personal loss, highlighting his contributions over a political career spanning more than three decades.
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry were dispatched to the crash site and to the operator’s offices to begin a formal inquiry. The probe will focus on factors including weather conditions at Baramati Airport, the aircraft’s technical status and crew actions during the final approach, with preliminary attention on the reported second landing attempt amid poor visibility conditions.
This tragic accident involving a Learjet 45 marks the second serious incident linked to a VSR Ventures-operated aircraft in recent years, prompting questions among aviation safety analysts about operational protocols at smaller regional airports. Baramati’s runway infrastructure and navigational aids are understood to be limited, particularly in low-visibility conditions, potentially complicating safe landings for light jets without advanced avionics support.