Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Co-Pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, Just 25, Dies in Tragic Accident

Captain Shambhavi Pathak, the co-pilot of the Learjet 45 that crashed in Baramati, Pune district, was among the five victims of the tragic accident that claimed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s life. At just 25 years old, Pathak had already achieved remarkable milestones in aviation.

Early Life and Education

Shambhavi Pathak began her aviation journey at the Air Force Bal Bharati School in Gwalior between 2016 and 2018 and was a member of the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club. After completing her intermediate studies in 2018, she joined Mumbai University to pursue a B.Sc. in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology. She then enrolled at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, where she underwent rigorous professional training. Between 2018 and 2019, she obtained her Commercial Pilot License (CPL), meeting the standards of both the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZ CAA) and India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Professional Achievements

By 2022, Pathak had completed her degree at Mumbai University, further enhancing her expertise. Beyond her professional duties as a pilot, she was dedicated to training the next generation of aviators. She served as an Assistant Flight Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club and held a Flight Instructor Rating (A), demonstrating her commitment to aviation education.

Family Background

Shambhavi Pathak’s family resides in Delhi. She had a younger brother, Varun, and her mother is Na Roli Shukla Pathak. Her maternal roots are in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The Tragic Accident

On the morning of 28 January, Shambhavi was part of the two-member cockpit crew alongside Pilot-in-Command Captain Sumit Kapoor. The Learjet 45, operated by Delhi-based charter firm VSR Aviation, was transporting Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidit Jadhav, and assistant Pinky Mali for official political engagements.

At approximately 8:45 AM, while attempting to land at Baramati Airport, the aircraft reportedly suffered a technical malfunction, veered off the runway, and caught fire. The crash claimed all five lives on board, including Captain Shambhavi Pathak.

Shambhavi’s untimely death has been mourned widely, with many remembering her as a young, talented, and dedicated pilot whose promising career in aviation was tragically cut short.