Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed when a private Learjet 45XR crashed in Pune, claiming the lives of all five on board. The incident raises questions about the jet’s safety record and recalls similar accidents worldwide.
Learjet 45XR
India woke up to shocking news on Wednesday morning as a small private aircraft crashed in Baramati in Pune district, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on board.
The aircraft was on its way from Mumbai for a busy day of political rallies. Pawar was scheduled to attend four important public meetings ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
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Officials confirmed there were no survivors.
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According to preliminary information, the aircraft had taken off from Mumbai early Wednesday. It was part of a tightly planned political schedule, with Pawar expected to address voters across different locations in Maharashtra.
The crash occurred in Pune district under circumstances that are still being examined. Emergency services rushed to the site, but the impact was severe. All five people on board were declared dead at the scene.
Ajit Pawar was a towering presence in Maharashtra’s political landscape, shaping the state’s power corridors for over four decades. Known for his sharp political acumen and administrative authority, he served as Maharashtra’s longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister, leaving an… pic.twitter.com/7IJ9OrxGRo
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) January 28, 2026
The aircraft involved in this crash was a Learjet 45XR. It is mid-size business jet commonly used for private and chartered travel. It was owned and operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited which is one of India’s largest non-scheduled aircraft operators.
The Learjet 45 series was manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace between 1998 and 2009. It is designed for short- to medium-distance flights and is popular among corporate and VIP travelers. This jet can seat up to eight passengers.
The Learjet 45XR is powered by two Honeywell TFE731 engines. These engines allow the aircraft to fly as high as 51,000 feet. This is much higher than most commercial planes.
It cruises at speeds close to Mach 0.8. This makes it one of the faster business jets in its class. The aircraft has a flying range of roughly 2,000 to 2,235 nautical miles.
With a wingspan of 47 feet and a weight of 9,752 kilograms, the aircraft is compact yet powerful. Its cabin is designed to offer a smooth and comfortable ride especially for busy executives and political leaders on tight schedules.
The aircraft belonged to VSR Ventures Private Limited, a Delhi-based aviation company founded and owned by VK Singh. The company is headquartered in Mahipalpur, New Delhi.
The firm operates and manages aircraft for charter services across India. Its business includes private jet charters, helicopter rentals, air ambulance services for medical emergencies, and aircraft leasing.
The company’s fleet includes aircraft like the Learjet 45XR, Beechcraft Super King Air B200, and Agusta 109 helicopters.
This is not the first time a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures has been involved in an incident.
In September 2023, seven people were injured when a private chartered Learjet 45 skidded off the runway while landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The aircraft had arrived from Visakhapatnam and was hired by shipping company J M Baxi and Co.
The plane had eight people on board when it veered off runway 27 during heavy rain. Visibility was reported to be just 700 metres at the time.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), confirmed the incident and launched an investigation.
After the 2023 Mumbai runway incident, VSR Ventures owner VK Singh said he did not know the exact cause and that the matter was under DGCA investigation.
He mentioned that a nearby Boeing 787 aircraft could have caused wake turbulence, which might have destabilised the smaller jet during landing.
However, his son Rohit Singh offered a different explanation blaming poor weather conditions and heavy rain for the incident.
The Learjet 45XR has also been involved in several serious accidents globally raising concerns about operational risks under certain conditions.
In February 2021, a Learjet 45XR operated by the Mexican Air Force crashed while taking off from Xalapa-El Lencero Airport in Veracruz. The aircraft struck a soil slope and crashed into a field just 120 metres from the runway.
The jet burst into flames, killing all six military personnel on board.
In July 2020, another Learjet 45 suffered an incident while landing at Toluca Airport in Mexico. The aircraft’s landing gear collapsed, causing it to leave the runway.
The jet was carrying five passengers and two crew members. Firefighters responded quickly, and no injuries were reported.
In November 2022, a Learjet 45 landed at Batesville Airport in the United States but failed to stop in time. The aircraft went off the end of the runway and crashed through the airport fence.
Five passengers and two pilots were on board. The US Federal Aviation Administration recorded the incident, though serious injuries were not immediately reported.
One of the deadliest Learjet 45 accidents occurred in November 2008 in Mexico City. A government Learjet 45 crashed while approaching the airport, killing Mexican Interior Secretary Juan Camillo Mourino, eight people on board, and six people on the ground.
Investigators found that wake turbulence from a Boeing 767-300 ahead of the Learjet caused the smaller jet to lose control. The Learjet was flying too close behind the larger aircraft.
Standard safety rules require a separation of at least five nautical miles, but the Learjet was only 4.15 nautical miles behind. The pilots failed to slow down in time.
Voice recorder data revealed the crew felt strong turbulence moments before losing control. Investigators later described the pilots’ voices as showing anguish and frustration.
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