Learjet 45XR Crashes at India Airport, Kills Deputy Chief Minister

A Learjet 45XR crashed during a second landing attempt at Baramati Airport in Maharashtra, India, on January 28, 2026, killing all five occupants including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The aircraft, registration VT-SSK operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, crashed short of the runway 11 threshold during its second approach attempt. The flight had departed Mumbai at 08:10 local time bound for the regional airport in Pune district.

According to reports, the crew initiated a go-around during the first approach and was cleared to land on the second attempt, but did not provide a readback of the landing clearance before the fatal crash occurred.

The victims included Pilot-in-Command Sumit Kapur, Co-Pilot Shambhavi Pathak, Flight Attendant Pinky Mali, and passengers Ajit Pawar and Vidip Jadhav. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.

In response to the crash, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded four VSR Learjets due to airworthiness and operational concerns. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the investigation, with the Director-General en route to the accident site.

The loss of Deputy Chief Minister Pawar represents a significant political tragedy for Maharashtra state, adding to the gravity of this aviation accident.