13 Famous Indian Personalities Died In Tragic Plane Crashes In History

Famous Indian People Died In Plane Crashes: Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s current Deputy Chief Minister, died at the age of 66 on January 28, 2026, when his chartered Learjet 45 crashed during its second landing attempt in BaramatiPune. The plane accident happened in the morning when he was on a political visit. The crash occurred when it was about to land because of low visibility conditions due to fog, resulting in five deaths, along with the pilot. The government of the state announced three days of mourning. 

Well, this is not the time when famous Indian personalities died in a plane crash, but several leaders lost their lives due to a tragic plane crash. On June 12, 2025, the country lost its former Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, in a devastating Ahmedabad plane crash that shook the entire nation when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London tragically went down shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash took life of 242 passengers along with the crew, pilot and Rupani. Only one passenger was able to survive. 

As India mourns the loss of Ajit Pawar, one of the great political leaders in Maharashtra, it is important to look at aviation safety and underscore the fragility of life while travelling in the sky. In this article, we have listed 13 famous indian personalities who lost their lives in a plane crash.

Famous Indian Personalities Who Died In Pa lane Crash

1. Ajit Pawar

Famous Indian who died in a plane crash (Image: ANI)

On January 28, 2026, Ajit Pawar, the incumbent Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, passed away at the age of 66 after his chartered Learjet 45 crashed during its second landing attempt in Baramati, Pune. He was on a political visit when the plane tragedy occurred in the morning.

2. Vijay Rupani

Famous Indian who died in a plane crash (Image: ANI)

Vijay Rupani, the country's former chief minister of Gujarat, died in a devastating Ahmedabad plane crash that shook the entire country on June 12, 2025, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner headed for London tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash took life of 242 passengers and more than 20 on grounds. 

3. Subhas Chandra Bose

One of the brave leaders of India's liberation movement was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. According to reports, his Japanese aircraft crashed during takeoff in Taihoku (modern-day Taipei) on August 18, 1945. Bose was fatally injured in the collision, and his passing has since been the subject of controversy and mystery.

4. Homi J. Bhabha

Famous Indians who died in a plane crash (Image: Instagram)

On January 24, 1966, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the pioneer of India's nuclear program, perished in a tragic accident. While travelling from Mumbai to Geneva, his aircraft, Air India Flight 101, crashed into Mont Blanc in the Alps. This tragic accident claimed the lives of all 117 people on board, including Bhabha.

5. Mohan Kumaramangalam

Mohan Kumaramangalam, a former Union Steel Minister and prominent Congress leader, was killed on May 30, 1973, when the Indian Airlines plane he was travelling on crashed close to New Delhi. His untimely passing raised awareness of aviation safety in India.

6. Sanjay Gandhi

Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's son, Sanjay Gandhi, lost his life in a private aircraft crash at Safdarjung Airport in Delhi on June 23, 1980, while he was practising stunt flying. His passing shocked the country and brought an abrupt end to the career of a rising political star.

7. Madhavrao Scindia

Famous Indians who died in a plane crash (Image: Instagram)

Madhavrao Scindia, a former royal who became a politician, lost his life in a helicopter crash in rainy terrain close to Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, on September 30, 2001. He was only 46 years old and was on his way to campaign in a by-election when the accident occurred due to bad weather.

8. Soundarya

Famous Indians who died in a plane crash (Image: Instagram)

On April 17, 2004, beloved South Indian actress Soundarya perished in a private jet accident. Shortly after taking off from the Jakkur airstrip in Bengaluru, the Cessna she was riding in crashed. Tragically, she and everyone on board perished while she was seven months pregnant.

8. Dorjee Khandu

Dorjee Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, perished in a helicopter crash on May 4, 2011, while travelling from Tawang to Itanagar. Khandu and the other four passengers perished in the Pawan Hans helicopter crash in mountainous terrain close to Sela Pass.

9.O. P. Jindal & Surender Singh

Agriculture Minister Surender Singh and industrialist and Haryana Minister O. P. Jindal died in a helicopter crash on March 31, 2005, close to Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. They were killed instantly when their Eurocopter crashed on the way back from a flight from Chandigarh.

10. General Bipin Rawat

Famous Indians who died in a plane crash (Image: Instagram)

On December 8, 2021, General Bipin Rawat, the Chief of Defence Staff, his spouse, and twelve other people perished in an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crash close to Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. Due to poor weather and a loss of spatial orientation, they crashed while travelling to a defence college.

11. YS Rajasekhara Reddy

The tragic helicopter crash in the Nallamala Hills on September 2, 2009, claimed the life of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. On the way back from a campaign tour, his Bell 430 helicopter crashed in a torrential downpour. Other people on board also died in the crash.

12. G.M.C. Balayogi

G.M.C. Balayogi, the former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, perished in a helicopter crash in Kaikalur, Andhra Pradesh, on September 3, 2002. He and two pilots were killed when the Dhruv helicopter carrying him lost control and crashed.

13. Lt Gen Daulet Singh, Lt Gen Bikram Singh & AVM E.W. Pinto

These three senior officers, Brigadier Oberoi and the pilot, perished in a helicopter crash near Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir, on November 22, 1963, as a result of a collision with telegraph cables. The nation was shocked by the accident, and the highest levels of tribute were given.

These tragedies highlight the profound losses India has faced over the decades, as prominent leaders and visionaries were taken too soon in air accidents.