The Learjet 45 Crash That Killed Ajit Pawar — What We Know So Far

Baramati, Maharashtra — January 28, 2026 — In a crash that has shocked India’s political and aviation communities, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died early Wednesday when the chartered bombardier Learjet 45 he was traveling in crash-landed at Baramati airport and burst into flames. All five people on board, including two crew members and two of Mr. Pawar’s aides — were killed instantly, officials said.

The Learjet 45 Flight and the Crash

Mr. Pawar, 66, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics whose career spanned decades, had departed Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in the early morning, bound for his hometown of Baramati in western Maharashtra. He was scheduled to attend public meetings and campaign events ahead of upcoming local elections.

At approximately 8:48 a.m. local time, the Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), operated by charter firm VSR Aviation, was on approach to Baramati Airport when it veered off the runway and crash-landed near runway 11. The aircraft burst into flames on impact and was destroyed. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but there were no survivors.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all five passengers on board died in the crash. Rescue operations were immediately launched at the site, with ambulances and emergency teams rushing to assist those affected.

The Aircraft: A Learjet 45 With a Known Past

The jet involved in the fatal accident was a Bombardier Learjet 45, a mid-size business aircraft first introduced in the late 1990s and widely used around the world for corporate and charter services.

According to aviation safety records, the model has been involved in several serious incidents globally over the past two decades:

1. 1998 – Wallops Island, Virginia, USA

One of the earliest recorded loss-of-control incidents involving the model occurred during a test at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The aircraft lost control while landing and struck a ground vehicle. It was destroyed, though serious injuries were limited to the flight test crew.

2. June 1, 2003 – Milan-Linate Airport, Italy

A Learjet 45 (registered I-ERJC) struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, leading to engine problems. The crew attempted to return to the airport but lost control and crashed. Both pilots died.

3. August / November 4, 2008 – Mexico City, Mexico

One of the deadliest Learjet 45 crashes occurred when a government-operated Learjet approached Mexico City’s airport too closely behind a Boeing 767, encountered severe wake turbulence, and lost control at low altitude. All nine people on board died, and seven people on the ground were killed.

4. September 14, 2023 – Mumbai Airport, India

A Learjet 45 (VT-DBL) operated by VSR Aviation veered off the runway in heavy rain while landing at Mumbai Airport. The fuselage broke into two parts and caught fire, but all occupants survived with injuries.

5. February 21, 2021 – Veracruz, Mexico

A Learjet 45XR operated by the Mexican Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff from Xalapa–El Lencero Airport, killing all six military personnel aboard.

Notably, in September 2023, a Learjet 45XR (also operated by VSR) veered off the runway during a landing at Mumbai Airport amid heavy rain; the aircraft was badly damaged, though all on board survived.

The aircraft that crashed on Wednesday, VT-SSK, was reportedly the same model that had been in service for many years and had a previous incident history associated with its operator.

As one of Maharashtra’s longest-serving deputy chief ministers and a key player in state and national politics, Mr. Pawar’s loss is likely to have a significant impact on political alignments and governance in India’s most populous state.