How Ajit Pawar’s Plane Crashed? Minute-by-Minute Sequence of Events
On January 28, 2026, a plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashed at Baramati Airport. After a failed first attempt due to poor visibility, the aircraft (VT-SSK) crashed at 08:44 IST during its second approach. All five onboard died. The AAIB is investigating why the pilots lost control despite reporting the runway was in sight.
Mumbai, Janaury 28: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday morning, January 28, 2026, after a chartered aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport. All five individuals on board, including two pilots and two security personnel, have been confirmed dead. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal probe into the incident, which occurred following a failed first landing attempt due to poor visibility. How did Ajit Pawar's plane crash? Following are the sequence of events revealed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
How Ajit Pawar Died in Plane Crash? The Sequence of Events
According to a detailed statement released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) first established contact with the Baramati air traffic controller (ATC) at 08:18 IST.
The aircraft was cleared by Pune approach and advised to descend under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at the pilots' discretion. During the initial approach, the crew enquired about local weather and was informed that winds were calm, though visibility was limited to approximately 3,000 meters. Ajit Pawar Death: Maharashtra Declares 3-Day State Mourning; What Remains Open and Closed.
Aborted Landing and Final Moments
The flight trajectory became critical at 08:43 IST. During the first approach to Runway 11, the crew reported that the "runway was not in sight" and subsequently initiated a go-around.
Following the maneuver, the ATC requested the aircraft's position. The crew responded that they were back on final approach for Runway 11 but noted the runway remained hidden. Moments later, the pilots reported the runway was finally in sight and were cleared for landing. Notably, the ATC did not receive the mandatory "readback" of this landing clearance from the cockpit.
At 08:44 IST, just one minute after the clearance, ATC personnel observed flames erupting near the threshold of Runway 11.
Casualties and Impact Site
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the site, where the wreckage was located on the left side of the runway. Those killed in the crash alongside Ajit Pawar have been identified as:
- Captain Sumit Kapoor (Pilot-in-Command)
- Captain Shambhavi Pathak (Co-pilot)
- Vidip Jadhav (Personal Security Officer)
- Pinky Mali (Flight Attendant)
Visuals from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in a massive blaze, with debris scattered across the airfield. Reports indicate the impact was so severe that the aircraft exploded shortly after hitting the ground. Who Was Ajit Pawar? Biography, Family Tree, and Political Journey of NCP Leader.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Investigation Begins
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe, with the Director General reaching the site to lead the technical evaluation. While a "technical difficulty" during the final approach is being considered, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu noted that preliminary inputs point heavily toward poor visibility as a contributing factor.
DGCA Statement on Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Ajit Pawar was traveling to his home constituency of Baramati to address several public meetings in the lead-up to the Zilla Parishad elections. The state government has declared three days of mourning in honor of the veteran leader.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2026 04:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).