On the morning of January 28, 2026, a private jet carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others crashed during its landing attempt at Baramati airport, spotlighting serious safety and infrastructure shortcomings at the small airstrip. The airport’s limited facilities have become a central part of the investigation and discussions about aviation safety in smaller Indian airports.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: What Happened at Baramati Airport
The Learjet 45 flight, operating from Mumbai to Baramati, attempted to land at around 8:44 AM. After an initial missed approach due to poor visibility, the aircraft attempted a second approach but crashed near the runway and burst into flames, killing all on board.
Poor weather conditions and a lack of advanced landing systems likely added to the difficulty. Experts later noted that visibility was below ideal norms and the airport lacked essential India Meteorological Department (IMD) weather services, though investigators are still analyzing all factors.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Baramati Airport’s Basic Infrastructure Issues
Baramati airport is categorised as an “uncontrolled” airfield, meaning it does not have a full-fledged air traffic control tower or professional controllers. Instead, pilot trainees and instructors from nearby flying schools handle traffic coordination, switching duties on alternate days.
During the fatal landing, the ATC was manned by a flight instructor from one such school. “It was the turn of Carver Aviation to manage the ATC,” said Pramesh Parikh, accountable manager at the flying school.
Infrastructure gaps include:
- No dedicated air traffic control tower or licensed ATC professionals.
- No on-site fire tender or firefighting equipment. Only a municipal fire truck was available initially, and additional units had to be called after the crash.
- Lack of navigational aids such as VOR (radio navigation beacon) and PAPI (visual glide path indicator). This makes precise landings harder, especially in low visibility.
- No independent meteorological facility. The airstrip relies on weather data relayed from Pune airport, which can be delayed or insufficient.
- Runway limitations. The 30-metre-wide runway has a shallow hump that can distort pilot perception, making landings tricky and less suitable for high-performance jets.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: IAF Steps In With Emergency Support
In response to the crash, the Indian Air Force (IAF) quickly deployed a dedicated team to provide basic air traffic control and meteorological services at Baramati while authorities work on longer-term safety measures. “This rapid assistance underscores IAF’s commitment to national service in times of need,” the Air Force said in a tweet.
This emergency setup aims to support both civilian flights and any ongoing investigation activity at the site.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Aviation Experts Raise Safety Concerns
Aviation specialists point out that India has about 150 uncontrolled airports with similar limitations. Without radar-based ATC, advanced navigation, or dedicated weather support, these airstrips rely heavily on visual flight rules and pilot communication, increasing risk during poor weather or complex operations.
Experts also note that the absence of strong landing systems like an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Baramati could have made it harder for the crew to safely judge their approach in foggy conditions.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Calls for Upgrading Baramati Airport
Locals and officials confirmed that Ajit Pawar had repeatedly proposed upgrades for the airport before the crash, urging installation of basic aids like PAPI lights, night landing capabilities, and a regular ATC service. Airport officials said Pawar had held several meetings to push the improvements.
Airport in-charge Shivaji Taware said that until recently, the strip was managed by a private firm, but the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) took over in August 2025 after identifying management gaps.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: What This Means for Future Operations
The devastating crash has prompted urgent discussions on upgrading safety at smaller airstrips that handle private and VIP flights. Authorities are likely to re-evaluate:
- Mandatory ATC staffing with trained professionals
- Installation of modern navigational aids
- Improved firefighting and emergency response infrastructure
- On-site weather monitoring and forecasting services
- These upgrades could become critical to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Baramati crash has sparked widespread debate on aviation safety in less-serviced regions of India, with citizens and policymakers urging faster infrastructure modernization to support growing air traffic and ensure public safety.
