“A promising life grounded too soon — India mourns a fallen aviator.”
Table of Contents
- Incident Overview
- Crash Details: What Happened
- Who Was Captain Shambhavi Pathak?
- Investigation & Official Response
- Political & Aviation Impact
Incident Overview
Captain Shambhavi Pathak, a First Officer with VSR Ventures, tragically lost her life in a
fatal plane crash near Baramati Airport in Pune district on
January 28, 2026.
She was co-piloting a Learjet 45 carrying
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar from Mumbai when the aircraft met with the deadly accident.
All six occupants on board were killed.
Crash Details: What Happened
The aircraft departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai at approximately
8:10 AM IST. Around 35 minutes into the flight, while attempting to land at Baramati Airport,
the jet reportedly lost control during approach.
According to eyewitness accounts, the aircraft veered off the runway, crashed into nearby terrain, and
burst into flames, triggering multiple explosions. The crash site was located roughly
20 km from Baramati Airport.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft stopped transmitting signals during the landing phase.
Poor visibility and adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the incident, though this remains under investigation.
Those killed in the crash included:
- Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
- Captain Sumit Kapoor, Pilot-in-Command
- Captain Shambhavi Pathak, First Officer
- Ajit Pawar’s personal security officer
- Two additional crew members
Who Was Captain Shambhavi Pathak?
Captain Shambhavi Pathak joined VSR Ventures, a Delhi-based non-scheduled airline operator, as a
full-time First Officer in August 2022.
She held a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) along with multiple aviation certifications and was regarded
as a skilled and capable aviator despite her young age.
Company officials described both pilots as “fairly experienced” and emphasized that the aircraft was
“100 percent airworthy”. It was confirmed that Captain Pathak was
handling the controls during the landing approach.
While limited public information is available about her early life and training, tributes describe her as a
rising talent in Indian aviation, lost far too early.
Investigation & Official Response
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched detailed investigations into the crash.
Key areas under examination include:
- Possible mechanical or technical failure
- Weather and visibility conditions during landing
- Runway excursion and post-impact fire
- Human or operational factors
Recovery operations were hampered due to intense fire at the crash site. There were no survivors.
Political & Aviation Impact
The Maharashtra government announced three days of state mourning following the death of
Ajit Pawar, who was en route to multiple pre-local election meetings.
Condolences and tributes poured in from political leaders across party lines, while the aviation community mourned
Captain Shambhavi Pathak as a symbol of young talent and dedication.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both Maharashtra’s political landscape and
India’s aviation sector, reigniting concerns over safety risks associated with small jet operations
during routine travel.