7 months ago
Plane Crash Kills Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Five Others
A plane crash at Baramati Airport in Pune, Maharashtra, killed six people, including Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and a flight attendant named Pinky Mali.
The crash happened on January 24, 2026, while the plane was attempting to land.
Ajit Pawar was a prominent political figure with a career spanning nearly 45 years.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the cause of the crash.
Various political leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
Pinky Mali's last rites were performed in Mumbai, and she had been working as a flight attendant for five years.
The crash has left the state in shock and has raised questions about aviation safety.
A plane crash at Baramati Airport in Pune, Maharashtra, killed six people, including Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and a flight attendant named Pinky Mali.
The crash occurred on January 24, 2026, around 8:44 AM, while the plane was attempting to land.
Ajit Pawar was a prominent political figure with a career spanning nearly 45 years, serving as Deputy Chief Minister six times, the most in Maharashtra's history.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the investigation, and the aircraft's black box has been taken into custody.
Various political leaders, including Subramanian Swamy, Mamata Banerjee, and Prakash Ambedkar, have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
- Who
- Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, and five others including a flight attendant Pinky Mali.
- What
- A plane crash that resulted in the deaths of all six on board.
- Where
- Baramati Airport, Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- January 24, 2026, around 8:44 AM.
- Why
- The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Key facts
- Name
- Ajit Pawar
- Age
- 66
- Occupation
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Leader
- Date of Birth
- July 22, 1959
- Date of Death
- January 24, 2026
- Crash Location
- Baramati Airport, Pune
- Survivors
- None
- Investigation Agency
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Political Party
- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
- Marital Status
- Married to Sunetra Pawar
Timeline
Government's land grab for airport sparks Pune protests.
Ajit Pawar's plane crashes at Baramati, repeating Aug '25 malfunction.
Crash claims Ajit Pawar and six others on Jan 28, 2026.
Tragedy strikes Baramati Airport, ending six lives.
Quotes
Naresh Taneja
Childhood friend of Captain Sumit Kapur
“It’s one of those conversations, you know, just jokes… then I saw the news and immediately called his family because he had told me he was going to Baramati. They had just received the news… what do you even tell them at that point?”
indianexpress.com
“We grew up as neighbours. Our friendship spans back over 50 years.”
indianexpress.com
G S Grover
Childhood friend of Captain Sumit Kapur
“I last spoke to him two-three days ago. He looked at me and said I had put on weight… He was such a happy-go-lucky chap. Whenever he would see us, he would call us for a cup of tea.”
indianexpress.com
Varun Kapur
Younger brother of Captain Sumit Kapur
“I will just say this — I wish to meet him as my brother in my next life as well.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
'Last Photo Was With Ajit Pawar': Baramati Crash Victims' Kin Bid Final Goodbyes
Inconsolable family, friends bid farewell to flight attendant Pinky Mali
45 Years In Active Politics: Ajit Pawar’s Political Journey -- A Timeline
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Aviation Minister Naidu responds to Maha CM Fadnavis' letter. Here's what he said
Victims of Baramati tragedy | Family & friends say farewell to Delhi pilots: ‘Fun-loving’ Capt Kapur, ‘lively’ Shambhavi
Sunetra Pawar As NCP Chief? Ajit Pawar's Wife Meets Top Party Leaders Amid Speculations
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Subramanian Swamy Demands PM Modi Form Committee Of Airline Experts
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