According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the aircraft made first contact with Baramati at 8:18 a.m. and was cleared by Pune approach while inbound. During the approach to Runway 11, the pilots reported limited visibility and carried out a go-around after failing to sight the runway
The wreckage was found on the left side of the runway, near the threshold of Runway 11. Pic/Special Arrangement
A Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board, including two crew members. Preliminary reports point to poor visibility during the final approach.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the aircraft made first contact with Baramati at 8:18 a.m. and was cleared by Pune approach while inbound. During the approach to Runway 11, the pilots reported limited visibility and carried out a go-around after failing to sight the runway.
On the second attempt, the crew said the runway was visible and the aircraft was cleared to land at 8:43 a.m., but no readback was received. About one minute later, ground staff saw flames near the runway threshold, followed by a loud explosion. Emergency teams rushed to the site, where the wreckage was found close to the runway.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe.
The Central government on Wednesday released a detailed account of the air accident that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others near Baramati Airport on January 28, 2026.
Fresh visuals from the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others show charred wreckage, scattered debris and smoke rising from the site near Baramati. The Bombardier Learjet 45 had crash-landed while Pawar was travelling to address… pic.twitter.com/wlazaE8ISD
— Mid Day (@mid_day) January 28, 2026
The incident involved a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., flying on the Mumbai–Baramati sector. All five people on board received fatal injuries, including two crew members, a personal security officer and an attendant.
Operator and aircraft details
According to an official statement, released by the DGCA, VSR Ventures is a non-scheduled operator (NSOP) with permit number 07/2014, valid until 20 April 2028. The company has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including seven Learjet 45s, five Embraer 135BJ, four King Air B200 and one Pilatus PC-12.
The aircraft involved in the crash, VT-SSK, was manufactured in 2010 and had an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) valid until 14 September 2026. The aircraft had logged 4,915 flight hours and 5,867 cycles since new.
VSR Ventures had previously experienced another accident in September 2023, when a Learjet 45 (VT-DBL) suffered an accident during landing at Mumbai Airport. That case is still under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here
Crew and passenger information
The pilot-in-command (PIC) was an ATPL holder with more than 15,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot held a CPL with approximately 1,500 hours. Both had valid medical certificates and recent instrument rating checks.
Timeline of incident
Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, meaning there is no official air traffic control tower. Traffic information is provided by instructors and pilots from flying training organisations operating at the airfield.
#WATCH | Baramati: On Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says,"...Since the incident occurred this morning, the DGCA and AAIB have been alerted, and their officers have been asked to come to the… pic.twitter.com/FavVDPnvO9
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
According to the statement of the person manning the Baramati ATC -
- The aircraft first contacted Baramati at 8:18 a.m.
- When about 30 nautical miles away, the flight was released by Pune approach control.
- The crew were advised to descend under visual meteorological conditions.
- Pilots were told winds were calm and visibility was about 3,000 metres.
- On first final approach to Runway 11, the runway was not visible, leading to a go-around.
- On the second approach, the crew initially reported the runway was still not in sight, but soon confirmed it was visible.
- The aircraft was cleared to land at 8:43 a.m., but no readback was received.
- At 8:44 a.m., flames were observed near the runway threshold, prompting emergency response.
- The wreckage was found on the left side of the runway, near the threshold of Runway 11.
Investigation underway
The AAIB has taken over the investigation, and its Director General is travelling to the site to oversee evidence collection.
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