Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu announces a timeline-based investigate by AAIB and DGCA after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other people were tragically killed in a jet crash near Baramati. Poor visibility was noted; the black box was recovered. Get exclusive updates on the Learjet 45 incident's REAL BREAKING NEWS, the cockpit's final remarks, and aviation safety issues.
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| Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addresses the media on the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the Baramati plane crash in Hyderabad. | Photo Credit: PTI |
The shocking news of the January 28, 2026, plane disaster that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four other people has left the country in shock. Just short of the runway at Baramati Airport in the Pune area, the chartered Learjet 45 aircraft that was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, Pawar's political stronghold, caught fire. One of the most catastrophic aviation mishaps in recent Indian history occurred on what was supposed to be a routine trip for election campaigning.
In an address to the media on the margins of Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad on January 29, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu gave the first formal information on the current investigation. The minister highlighted that the government had "zero tolerance for air safety issues." He verified to the quick arrival of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) teams at the crash site. Importantly, the black box containing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder has been found and is currently being carefully investigated.
"This time, we will follow a strict timeline-based approach to ensure the report is completed quickly," Naidu said with confidence. He continued by saying that the Civil Aviation Ministry promised complete cooperation, openness, and a timely process in response to the Maharashtra government's request for information on the probe. In a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the minister reaffirmed that the state would be informed of the investigation's main conclusions.
The Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, attempted its second landing approach on Runway 11 at the tabletop airstrip at approximately 8:45 AM IST, which resulted in the crash. Initial indications indicate the aircraft did not respond to Air Traffic Control after getting landing clearance. Moments thereafter, it exploded into flames roughly 200-254 meters short of the runway boundary. The terrifying scene—the jet sliding abruptly to the left, losing its balance, and exploding into a fireball upon impact—was captured by eyewitnesses and CCTV cameras. From neighboring highways, a huge column of black smoke soared into the sky.
Sadly, no one survived. Ajit Pawar (66), his personal security guard Vidip Jadhav, an attendant, pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapur (62, referred to his family as "Bunny"), co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali were all on board. Before to the impending Zilla Parishad elections, Pawar was traveling to Baramati to speak at public gatherings. Throughout his long political career, the seasoned politician—a prominent member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and one of Maharashtra's most powerful leaders—served as Deputy Chief Minister several times.
Cockpit transmissions revealed shocking information. The crew's final words, according to DGCA officials, were "oh s***" right before the hit. This tragic last moment highlights how unexpected the disaster was. Additionally, reports state that throughout the approach, the pilots reported having low visibility and not being able to see the runway. The lack of sophisticated navigational aids typical of larger buildings at Baramati Airport, which is mostly utilized by flight instruction groups, may have made the foggy or low visibility conditions that morning more difficult.
In response to inquiries on the lack of emergency firefighters on the scene, Minister Naidu clarified that the runway is mostly used for training rather than as a full commercial airport. This has led to more extensive debates on the necessity of improved emergency infrastructure for smaller airports that handle VIP charter aircraft. Tabletop runways like Baramati's need precise flying, particularly in bad weather, and any deviation can be lethal, according to aviation experts.
The Learjet 45, a popular mid-size business jet famous for speed and range, has a generally solid safety record, but this incident has raised questions. However this has not been verified, some reports indicate that the aircraft may have missed a satellite-based safety gear upgrade by just a few weeks. The AAIB's investigative team is analyzing everything from technical faults, pilot actions, meteorological data, runway conditions, to probable bird strikes or mechanical concerns.
There is a huge political consequences. The passing of Ajit Pawar has left an immense gap in Maharashtra politics. He was a seasoned Pawar family leader who played a crucial role in forming coalitions and establishing influence in western Maharashtra. Tributes flowed in from across the spectrum - Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it "shocking and saddening," while opposition leaders mourned the loss of a formidable opponent and colleague. His funeral in Baramati attracted large crowds, including high-ranking officials, and Maharashtra announced three days of state mourning.
This is more than just a personal tragedy; it exposes high-profile individuals' risk in private aircraft. Despite their convenience, charter flights are frequently subject to different regulations than commercial ones. The occurrence has rekindled calls for obligatory safety equipment upgrades, improved weather monitoring at non-metropolitan airports, and more stringent rules on private aircraft.
As the black box data is decoded, the timeline-based probe promises answers shortly. Rebuilding public trust in air travel safety has begun with Minister Naidu's promise of immediate action. For the time being, the country mourns a statesman who spent decades influencing Maharashtra's future.
We at REAL BREAKING NEWS mourn the victims' families while we wait for the whole truth. There must be no compromises or quick cuts when it comes to aviation safety.
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