Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Notable Indian Political Leaders Who Died in Air Crashes: A Look Back

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died this morning when the charter plane he was travelling in crash-landed at Baramati airport. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), all five people onboard the Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) were killed.

What Happened:

The aircraft reportedly encountered trouble while attempting to land at Baramati around 9 a.m., about an hour after taking off from Mumbai. Visuals from the site showed fire, smoke, and the mangled remains of the plane. Ambulances rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, but unfortunately, none survived.

Who Was Onboard:

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
Two personnel (a personal security officer and an attendant)
Pilot-in-command and first officer

The charter plane was operated by VSR, and it was carrying Pawar to Baramati to attend multiple public meetings related to upcoming local body elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the incident. Pawar's wife and son were rushed to Baramati following the crash.

Preliminary Cause:

While the exact reason for the crash is yet to be confirmed, preliminary reports suggest the aircraft faced complications during landing. Investigations by DGCA and local authorities are ongoing.

Ajit Anantrao Pawar, often referred to as "Dada," was one of Maharashtra's most influential politicians. He served as Deputy Chief Minister for six terms and played a pivotal role in the state's politics, especially in the Baramati region. Pawar's political journey included breaking away from Sharad Pawar's NCP in 2023 and leading his faction, which was recognised by the Election Commission in 2024.

Air travel has often been a vital tool for politicians to reach distant constituencies quickly, but it has also brought tragedy to Indian politics. Over the decades, several prominent Indian leaders lost their lives in plane and helicopter accidents, leaving a deep impact on the political landscape.

1. Vijay Rupani

Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat and a senior BJP leader, died in the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash on 12 June 2025. Rupani's death was a major loss for Gujarat politics, given his long tenure in the state government and key role in party affairs.

2. Dorjee Khandu

The then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu, lost his life in a helicopter crash on 30 April 2011. The accident shocked the northeastern political establishment and highlighted the challenges of air travel in hilly terrain.

3. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR)

One of the most tragic incidents in recent memory, YSR, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, died on 2 September 2009 when his helicopter crashed in the dense Nallamala forests. YSR's sudden death left Andhra Pradesh in political turmoil.

4. G. M. C. Balayogi

G. M. C. Balayogi, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Telugu Desam Party leader, was killed in a helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh on 3 March 2002. Balayogi's death was mourned across party lines, as he had been a respected parliamentary figure.

5. Madhavrao Scindia

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia died in a private plane crash on 30 September 2001 while traveling to a rally. His death created a vacuum in Madhya Pradesh politics.

6. N. V. N. Somu

N. V. N. Somu, then DMK MP and Minister of State for Defence, died in a helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh on 14 November 1997. Somu was noted for his parliamentary contributions and policy work in defence.

7. Surendra Nath

Surendra Nath, the Governor of Punjab and acting Governor of Himachal Pradesh, lost his life in a plane crash in the Mandi area in 1994. His death added to a series of aviation tragedies involving political figures in the 1990s.

8. Mohan Kumaramangalam

A Union Minister and Congress leader, Mohan Kumaramangalam, died in 1973 in the Indian Airlines Flight 440 crash. His death was a severe blow to the Congress party at the time.

9. Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta

The second Chief Minister of Gujarat, Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta, was killed in 1965 when his civilian aircraft was downed during the Indo‑Pakistan War. Mehta's death remains one of the earliest high-profile aviation-related political losses in independent India.