Shambhavi Pathak Biography: Pilot, Education, Career, Cause of Death
Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash; Experienced Pilot and Co-pilot Among Five Killed
Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in a chartered plane crash on Wednesday morning near Baramati Airport. Four others on board also lost their lives after the aircraft crash-landed and caught fire, officials confirmed.
The victims have been identified as Ajit Pawar, Vidip Jadhav, Pinky Mali, Captain Sumit Kapur, and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.
The aircraft, a Learjet 45 registered as VT-SSK and operated by VSR, had departed from Mumbai earlier in the day. According to aviation authorities, the jet lost control while attempting to land near the threshold of Runway 11 at approximately 8:44 am. It struck the runway before bursting into flames.
Emergency response teams reached the scene promptly, but all five occupants were declared dead. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Who Were the Pilots?
Captain Sumit Kapur, the pilot in command, was a highly experienced aviator with more than 16,500 hours of flying experience.
Co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak studied at Air Force Bal Bharati School before earning a degree in Aeronautics from the University of Mumbai. She later completed her commercial pilot training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Weather Conditions
Officials stated that weather conditions at the time of the crash were favourable, with visibility of approximately 3,500 metres, indicating that fog or poor visibility was unlikely to have contributed to the accident.
The Learjet 45 is a mid-size business jet widely used for charter and official travel, known for its advanced avionics and strong performance.
Family members of the victims, along with senior political leaders, are reportedly travelling to Baramati as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
