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A viral video falsely attributed to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s fatal plane crash has been debunked by fact-checkers. The footage, which shows a small aircraft crashing during takeoff, actually documents an incident that occurred in Venezuela in October 2025, not the January 2026 crash that claimed Pawar’s life.
Vishvas News conducted an investigation after the video began circulating on social media, with numerous users linking it to the recent tragedy involving the Maharashtra Deputy CM. One Facebook user with over 4,000 followers shared the video on January 28, 2026, with a caption suggesting it showed Pawar’s crash, though they included a disclaimer about being unable to verify its authenticity.
Fact-checkers employed various verification techniques, including Google Lens searches with relevant keywords and keyframes. Their investigation revealed that the footage had appeared in reports from multiple media outlets including The Mirror, India Today, and Moneycontrol back in October 2025, several months before Pawar’s accident.
According to these earlier reports, the video actually shows a Piper Cheyenne aircraft crash at Paramillo Airport in Táchira, Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of two crew members. The incident occurred during takeoff on October 23, 2025.
Several key differences distinguish the Venezuelan crash from Pawar’s accident. The viral video shows an aircraft crashing during takeoff in a mountainous region, while Pawar’s chartered Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) crashed during landing at Baramati airport, which is not situated in mountainous terrain. The Baramati crash also occurred in dense fog conditions, a detail not present in the viral footage.
“The video being circulated on social media claiming to be Ajit Pawar’s plane accident is completely misleading,” confirmed Samiullah Khan, Senior Correspondent for Mid-day, Mumbai, who was contacted during the investigation. “That footage is not from Baramati. The accident in Baramati happened during landing, whereas the viral video shows a plane crashing during takeoff.”
The actual incident involving Pawar occurred on the morning of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at approximately 8:45 AM. The Deputy CM was traveling from Mumbai to his constituency of Baramati when the accident occurred. According to reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and local police, a total of five people lost their lives in the crash, including Pawar, his Personal Security Officer Vidip Jadhav, attendant Pinky Mali, and two pilots.
This case highlights the increasing challenge of misinformation spreading during high-profile tragedies, with social media users quick to share unverified content. Fact-checking organizations continue to play a crucial role in debunking such false claims before they can spread more widely and cause additional distress to those affected by genuine disasters.
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9 Comments
It’s disappointing to see a false narrative gain traction, but I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to set the record straight. Verifying the source and accuracy of information is essential, especially for sensitive news.
This is a good example of why we should be cautious about quickly sharing videos or news without confirming the details. Thorough investigation is needed to separate truth from fiction, especially on social media.
Agreed. Fact-checking is crucial to combat the spread of misinformation and prevent the further confusion of tragic events.
This incident serves as a reminder that we should be critical consumers of online content and not blindly believe or share unverified information, no matter how compelling it may seem. Fact-checking is a vital safeguard.
While it’s understandable for people to be curious and share news quickly, it’s important to take the time to confirm the facts, especially around tragic events. Fact-checkers play a crucial role in maintaining journalistic integrity.
This case highlights the need for media outlets and social media users to verify the authenticity of content before sharing, to avoid perpetuating false narratives. Fact-checking is a vital tool in the digital age.
It’s unfortunate that a video unrelated to the Maharashtra Deputy CM’s accident was falsely linked to the incident. Proper verification processes are essential to report news accurately and responsibly.
Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligent investigation. Their work helps to uphold the truth and prevent the spread of misinformation, which can be particularly damaging in sensitive situations.
Glad to see fact-checkers debunk this misleading viral video. It’s important to verify the source and accuracy of online content, especially around tragic events. Spreading misinformation can be harmful.