A tragic aviation accident on the morning of January 28, 2026, has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the nation. A Learjet 45 aircraft crashed during landing at the Baramati airstrip in Pune district, killing all five people on board.
Among the victims was Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The incident has not only plunged the state into mourning but has also raised serious questions about aviation safety and triggered major political developments.
Flight Details and Timeline of the Crash
The ill-fated Learjet 45, bearing registration number VT-SSK, was owned by Delhi-based VSR Ventures. It departed from Mumbai at around 8:00 am on January 28, 2026, bound for Baramati, where Ajit Pawar was scheduled to attend an election rally. At approximately 8:45 am, while attempting to land on Runway 11 of the tabletop Baramati airstrip, the aircraft crashed about 200 meters short of the runway edge.
According to preliminary information, the landing approach appeared routine until the final moments, when the aircraft suddenly lost stability.
Victims on Board
All five occupants of the aircraft lost their lives in the crash. The deceased were:
- Ajit Pawar (66), Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and a prominent NCP leader
- Captain Sumit Kapoor (62), pilot-in-command
- Captain Shambhavi Pathak, co-pilot
- Vidip Jadhav, Ajit Pawar’s personal security officer
- Pinky Mali, flight attendant
No casualties or injuries were reported on the ground.
Experienced Pilot, Last-Minute Assignment
Captain Sumit Kapoor was a highly experienced aviator with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 hours of flying experience. He was not originally scheduled to operate the flight but stepped in at short notice after the designated pilot was delayed in traffic. Kapoor had received instructions to take over the flight just hours before departure.
Originally from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Kapoor had lived in Delhi for nearly four decades. He began his aviation career in the 1990s with Sahara Airlines, later served as a Boeing 737 examiner at Jet Airways, and had been working with VSR Aviation for the past five years. He is survived by his wife, elderly father, son Shiva, and daughter Sanya. Notably, his son and son-in-law are also pilots.
Sequence of the Crash
Eyewitness accounts and newly surfaced CCTV footage show the aircraft sharply banking midair during its landing approach. The left wing reportedly dropped suddenly, causing the jet to plunge before impact. There were no visible flames prior to touchdown, but moments later the aircraft hit the ground, triggering a massive explosion and a fireball accompanied by thick smoke.
The jet split into two upon impact and was completely destroyed in the ensuing fire. The bodies of the victims were severely charred. Captain Kapoor was identified through a bracelet he was wearing.
Recovery of Black Box and Forensic Evidence
Investigators recovered the black box intact, which contains both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Officials confirmed that the final recorded cockpit audio captured an exclamation of distress moments before impact. Forensic teams, along with officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), inspected the crash site in detail.
Autopsies of all victims were completed before the remains were handed over to their respective families.
Last Rites Amid Statewide Mourning
Ajit Pawar’s last rites were performed on January 29, 2026, with full state honors, as thousands of supporters and political leaders gathered to pay their respects. Captain Sumit Kapoor’s funeral was held the same day at Punjabi Bagh in Delhi, attended by family members, colleagues, and members of the aviation community.
Investigations by Police, CID, and AAIB
Initially, the Pune Rural Police registered an accidental death report under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita at Baramati taluka police station. On January 30, 2026, the case was transferred to the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID).
CID teams have since collected documents from local police and visited the crash site. A key focus of their probe is to rule out any possibility of sabotage prior to the aircraft’s departure from Mumbai.
In parallel, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), functioning under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has launched a formal investigation. The AAIB is examining technical records, operational procedures, maintenance history, weather conditions, and physical evidence from the site. As of January 30, 2026, the analysis of the black box is ongoing, and no definitive cause has been established.
Political Fallout and Broader Impact
The sudden death of Ajit Pawar has created a leadership vacuum within the Nationalist Congress Party, leading to intense political activity. Senior NCP leaders have met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis amid uncertainty over the party’s future direction.
Beyond politics, the crash has sparked renewed concern over aviation safety standards in Maharashtra, particularly at smaller airstrips like Baramati.
Awaiting Answers
As investigations continue, authorities have emphasized that no conclusions should be drawn prematurely. With no evidence of foul play confirmed so far and technical analysis still underway, the nation awaits clear answers about what caused one of Maharashtra’s most devastating aviation tragedies in recent memory.
