A Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures crashed at approximately 08:46 IST on January 28, 2026, while attempting a second approach to runway 11 at Baramati Airport, Maharashtra. All five occupants were killed: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, pilot Sumit Kapur (16,500 hours experience), co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. The aircraft was on a charter flight from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The crew executed a go-around on the initial approach due to poor visibility and heavy fog. CM Devendra Fadnavis declared three days of state mourning. Pawar, 66, was a veteran politician who served multiple terms as deputy CM. AAIB ordered the accident investigation, while DGCA officers joined the initial on-site response.
Baramati Learjet 45 Crash: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Among Five Killed
Learjet 45 crash at Baramati kills Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and 4 others; second approach in heavy fog; DGCA probe launched.
Key facts
- A Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures crashed at Baramati Airport, Maharashtra on January 28, 2026, killing all five occupants.
- Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (66), his PSO Vidip Jadhav, pilot Sumit Kapur (16,500 hours), co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, and attendant Pinky Mali died.
- The aircraft was on a charter flight from Mumbai; crew executed a go-around on initial approach due to poor visibility and dense fog.
- CM Devendra Fadnavis declared three days of state mourning.
- AAIB ordered the accident investigation into the crash.
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Which organization is responsible for regulating aviation safety, including grounding of aircraft and conducting safety audits, in India?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is India's aviation regulatory body responsible for safety oversight, including grounding aircraft and conducting safety audits. Following the Baramati crash in January 2026, the DGCA grounded VSR Ventures' aircraft and launched a comprehensive safety audit. AAI manages airports, BCAS handles aviation security, and AAIB investigates accidents.
Source: Al Jazeera
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Baramati Learjet crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar?
A **Learjet 45 aircraft** operated by **VSR Ventures** crashed near **Baramati, Maharashtra**, killing **Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar** (NCP leader) and **four others**. The crash prompted the **DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)** to ground all VSR Ventures aircraft and order an immediate safety audit. The **AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau)** launched an inquiry into the causes, which likely involve engine failure, weather conditions, or pilot factors.
Who was Ajit Pawar and what was his political significance?
**Ajit Pawar** was a senior **NCP (Nationalist Congress Party)** leader and former multiple-term **Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra**. Nephew of **Sharad Pawar** (NCP founder), he was known for leading a faction of NCP that joined the **Mahayuti alliance** (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) government in Maharashtra (November 2023). He held important portfolios including Finance. His death in the crash would create a major political vacuum in Maharashtra's NCP faction and the ruling alliance, requiring significant political realignment.
What is a Learjet 45 and what are its safety characteristics?
The **Learjet 45** is a **light business jet** manufactured by **Bombardier Aerospace** (Canada). Specifications: seats 7-9 passengers, maximum range 3,700 km, cruise speed 850 km/h, ceiling 51,000 feet. Safety record: the Learjet 45 has a generally good safety record but several accidents have occurred globally due to **controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)**, **icing**, and **mechanical failures**. In India, **charter aviation** using business jets has faced safety scrutiny due to aging aircraft, maintenance standards, and crew training requirements.
What safety issues does India's private charter aviation industry face?
India's **private charter aviation** sector faces several safety challenges: (1) **Aging aircraft fleet** — some operators use 15-20 year old jets; (2) **Maintenance standards** — AMO (Aircraft Maintenance Organization) compliance gaps; (3) **Crew training quality** — simulator training frequency, medical standards; (4) **Weather briefing** — inadequate pre-flight meteorological assessment; (5) **Nighttime operations** — visibility challenges; and (6) **Fatigue management** — crew rest requirements. The **DGCA's Non-Scheduled Operators Permit (NSOP)** system regulates charter operators but enforcement gaps exist.
What political implications does the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar have?
The death of **Ajit Pawar** would have profound political consequences for Maharashtra: (1) **NCP faction leadership vacuum** — his NCP(AP) (Ajitdada Pawar) faction needs a new leader; (2) **Mahayuti alliance stability** — the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP(AP) alliance has to manage the succession; (3) **Deputy CM post** — Maharashtra needs a new Deputy CM from NCP(AP); (4) **Finance portfolio** — reassignment of his key portfolio; and (5) **By-elections** in his Baramati Vidhan Sabha constituency, which has been a Pawar family stronghold for decades.
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