Ajit Pawar Was Alive After The Plane Crash?: DGCA And AAIB Launch Probe

Baramati: After the sudden death of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister in the fatal plane crash at the Baramati airport, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Wednesday has launched an investigation. 

According to sources, the NCP leader was critically injured but still alive before the aircraft exploded.

The accident happened on Wednesday morning, after the plane Pawar was travelling in crashed during an attempted landing in Maharashtra's Baramati.

What happened during the rescue?

According to sources and eyewitnesses, during the rescue, Pawar and the other four members were critically injured in the crash. However, before the passengers could be pulled out from the wreckage, the plane exploded, and no one survived.

Who was on board?

The passengers included Pawar, along with two personnel, one PSO and one attendant, and two crew members, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and the First Officer (FO).

The DGCA in a statement said that "Ajit Pawar was onboard along with two more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and two crew (PIC+FO) members."

"As per initial information, no person on board has survived the crash," DGCA further said.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR and registered as VT-SSK, crashed when it was attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport, according to DGCA.

#WATCH | Crash landing in Baramati | Five people onboard the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane, including Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, died as per initial information by the DGCA.

Visuals from the spot show the wreckage of the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/GMmwrZwR0M

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026

Who is investigating the accident?

The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched an investigation after the plane crash.

"The AAIB will be visiting the crash site, and it will also be investigating the accident," a senior official told PTI.

The AAIB is responsible for the classification of safety occurrences involving aircraft operating in the Indian airspace as accidents, serious incidents, or incidents.

Where was the NCP leader heading?

The 66-year-old leader, who had attended a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday, was traveling to Baramati to attend public meetings for the upcoming zilla elections.

What is the reason behind the crash?

It is not yet clear whether the plane crash occurred due to technical fault, weather or any control lapse during landing. All aspects are being thoroughly investigated.