Leaders killed in aircraft crash accidents!

The tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday has plunged the nation into deep sorrow. His demise comes barely seven months after former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani lost his life in an aircraft accident in June 2025. The back-to-back loss of prominent national leaders within a short span has once again drawn attention to the long history of political figures in India who lost their lives in air crashes.

India has witnessed several such heartbreaking incidents over the decades.

1. Sanjay Gandhi

Date of Death: June 23, 1980
Location: Near Safdarjung Airport perimeter, New Delhi
Details: While flying a private aircraft, the plane lost control during a test/stunt flight and crashed.

2. Madhavrao Scindia

Date of Death: September 30, 2001
Location: Near Bhogaon, Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh
Details: The private aircraft (Beechcraft C90) crashed due to adverse weather conditions while he was travelling.

3. G. M. C. Balayogi

Date of Death: March 3, 2002
Location: Near Kaikaluru, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh
Details: The Bell 206 helicopter met with an accident near a pond while attempting to land.

4. General Bipin Rawat

Date of Death: December 8, 2021
Location: Coonoor region, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu
Details: The Indian Air Force helicopter (Mi-17V-5) crashed during the flight, primarily due to adverse weather conditions.

5. Homi Jehangir Bhabha

Date of Death: January 24, 1966
Location: Mont Blanc mountain region, France (Alps)
Details: Air India Flight 101 (Boeing 707) crashed into the Mont Blanc mountain while attempting to land at Geneva Airport.

6. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy

Date of Death: September 2, 2009
Location: Nallamala forest region, Andhra Pradesh
Details: The Bell 430 helicopter crashed due to adverse weather conditions during the flight; his body was recovered only after 27 hours.

7. Vijay Rupani

Date of Death: June 12, 2025 (Ahmedabad plane crash)
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Details: The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff while en route to London; several passengers, including him, lost their lives.

8. Ajit Pawar

Date of Death: January 28, 2026
Location: Near Baramati Airport, Pune district, Maharashtra
Details: The Learjet 45 aircraft lost control during the landing attempt and met with a severe crash, killing him and all others on board.