The investigation into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on January 28, 2026, continues to be a focal point, with Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) [NCP (SP)] leader Rohit Pawar set to present a detailed analysis on February 10. The fatal incident occurred when a Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati table-top airstrip in Pune district.
Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late NCP chief, has publicly stated that "everyone has questions and doubts in their minds" regarding the circumstances surrounding the crash. He aims to address these concerns in a presentation scheduled to take place in Mumbai. The NCP (SP) leader intends to delve into the potential causes of the crash and how it transpired.
The crash claimed the lives of Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and the two crew members, pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Sambhavi Pathak. Initial reports indicate that the jet lost control during its landing approach, made hard contact with the runway threshold, and immediately burst into flames.
Several factors are under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation. Preliminary analysis suggests a possible pilot misjudgment during the second landing attempt, with poor visibility reported at the time. It remains unclear whether the landing was attempted despite the adverse conditions, or if external directions influenced the decision to proceed. Investigators are also exploring whether the aircraft should have been diverted to Pune instead of attempting a second touchdown at Baramati.
Adding to the complexities, Beed MP and NCP (SP) member Bajrang Sonawane has called for a comprehensive investigation into the crash, even suggesting the possibility of a bomb being on board the aircraft. Sonawane has also requested the disclosure of CCTV footage from the morning of the crash and questioned why the aircraft appeared to explode mid-air.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are jointly conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. A key aspect of the investigation involves analyzing the black box, which contains the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. This data is expected to provide crucial insights into the communication between the pilot and air traffic control, as well as the aircraft's movements.
In addition to the AAIB and DGCA investigation, the Maharashtra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is also conducting a separate probe. As part of their investigation, the CID has questioned Ajit Pawar's personal secretary, Avinash Solvat, regarding tour planning, aircraft selection, and travel-related decisions.
The Learjet 45 involved in the crash was owned and operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based private aviation company. This is not the first incident involving a VSR Ventures-linked aircraft; in September 2023, another Learjet 45XR skidded off the runway at Mumbai Airport during heavy rain, injuring all eight people on board.
As the investigation progresses, Rohit Pawar's presentation on February 10 is anticipated to shed further light on the unanswered questions surrounding the tragic plane crash. The findings from the black box analysis and the conclusions of the various investigative bodies will be crucial in determining the exact cause of the accident and assigning responsibility.