A tragic aviation disaster struck Maharashtra on the morning of January 28, 2026, when a private Learjet 45 carrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport. The accident claimed the lives of all five people on board and has triggered a nationwide shock along with a high-level aviation investigation.
Below is the complete timeline of events, reconstructing what happened from takeoff to impact, based on preliminary investigation findings and official briefings.
Departure from Mumbai
At approximately 8:10 am, the Learjet 45 charter aircraft departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. On board were Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, two pilots, and a flight attendant. The flight plan was short, with Baramati as the destination for scheduled public engagements later that morning.
The aircraft climbed normally and maintained routine communication during the cruise phase.
Initial Contact with Baramati Airfield
Around 8:18 am, the flight established radio contact with Baramati airfield advisory services. Baramati operates without a full-scale air traffic control tower, meaning pilots rely heavily on visual approach procedures and advisory communication for landing.
Weather conditions at the time were reported as marginal but within operational limits.
First Landing Attempt
By 8:25 am, the aircraft began its first descent for landing on Runway 11. During this approach, the pilot informed ground advisory that the runway was not in clear sight. Following standard safety protocol, the crew initiated a go-around maneuver, climbing back up to reattempt the landing.
This procedure is common when visual reference is not established during final descent.
Second Approach Begins
At approximately 8:30 am, the aircraft repositioned for a second approach. The crew reported that the runway was now visible. Ground advisory services then cleared the aircraft for landing.
However, investigators later noted that the cockpit did not give a formal readback confirmation of the landing clearance, a standard step meant to ensure mutual understanding between pilot and ground.
Final Descent and Sudden Loss of Control
Between 8:43 am and 8:44 am, the Learjet entered its final descent toward the runway threshold. CCTV footage from the airfield later showed the aircraft tilting sharply to one side and losing stable alignment moments before reaching touchdown.
Seconds later, the aircraft struck the ground short of the runway and immediately caught fire upon impact.
Crash and Aftermath
By 8:45 am, the crash site was engulfed in flames. Emergency response teams reached the location quickly, but the intensity of the fire left no chance of survival for those on board. All five occupants were declared dead at the scene.
Black Box Recovery and Final Cockpit Audio
The aircraft’s black box, containing the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, was recovered the following day. Preliminary examination of the cockpit audio reportedly captured the crew reacting to a sudden emergency in the final seconds.
Officials familiar with early findings stated that the cockpit voice recorder included a shocked exclamation from the crew, reportedly saying “oh shit…”, reflecting a rapid and unexpected loss of control just before impact. No distress or mayday call was transmitted, suggesting the crisis unfolded too quickly for corrective action.
Investigation Underway
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and aviation regulators are now analyzing flight data, engine parameters, control inputs, and cockpit conversations. The final report will determine whether the crash resulted from pilot disorientation, technical malfunction, environmental conditions, or a combination of factors.
National Mourning
The death of Ajit Pawar has led to widespread mourning across Maharashtra. Political leaders and citizens have paid tributes, while the government has assured a transparent and time-bound investigation.
What Happens Next
Full decoding of black box data is expected to provide a precise reconstruction of the aircraft’s last seconds. Until then, authorities have urged restraint from speculation and promised to release verified findings once analysis is complete.
