Indian deputy chief minister among five killed in Learjet crash

A chartered Bombardier Learjet 45 carrying a senior Indian political figure crashed while attempting to land at the uncontrolled Baramati airfield on January 28, 2026, killing all five people on board, Indian aviation authorities said. 

Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, his home constituency, where he was scheduled to campaign ahead of local elections. Two members of his staff and two flight crew members were also killed in the crash. 

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft crashed during its second approach to Baramati after the crew executed a go-around on the initial attempt. According to the regulator, the first approach was abandoned because of poor visibility. 

Flight tracking data and preliminary information indicate the Learjet was cleared to attempt a second landing when it went down short of the runway and erupted in flames. Video and images from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the wreckage, which came to rest in an open field near the airport. Witnesses told local media they heard multiple explosions following the impact. 

The aircraft was operated by a Delhi-based charter company, identified by the DGCA as VSR Ventures. The operator’s director told Indian media that the crew was experienced and that the cause of the crash was not immediately clear. 

Baramati airfield does not have an air traffic control tower and relies on pilot self-coordination for arrivals and departures. The field primarily supports general aviation and charter traffic. Investigators have not said whether weather, visibility, or runway conditions played a role, though the lack of visual contact during the first approach will be a focus of the inquiry. 

The DGCA said it has launched a formal investigation into the accident, including a review of the aircraft’s maintenance records, crew qualifications, and operational decisions made during the approach. Officials have not yet confirmed whether flight data or cockpit voice recorders have been recovered. 

Pawar, 66, was a veteran politician and a key figure in Maharashtra’s coalition government, which is led by India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. He had served multiple terms as deputy chief minister under different administrations and held several senior cabinet portfolios. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across India’s political spectrum. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the loss as “shocking and saddening,” while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared a public holiday in the state and announced three days of mourning. 

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