A chartered Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport in Pune district on Wednesday morning, killing all six people on board. The incident occurred during an attempted landing after the aircraft departed from Mumbai, sending shockwaves across the state and prompting an immediate investigation.
The aircraft, operated by VSR Aviation, had departed from Mumbai around 8 am and was attempting to land at Baramati when it allegedly lost control. Eyewitnesses reported a massive fire followed by multiple explosions after the crash.
Among those on board were two experienced pilots—Captain Shambhavi Pathak and Captain Sumit Kapoor—along with Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, and a flight attendant. VSR Aviation confirmed the identities of the pilots.
Captain Shambhavi Pathak was serving as the Pilot-in-Command. The daughter of an Army officer, she completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology from the University of Mumbai. She later underwent commercial pilot training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.
Pathak also worked as an Assistant Flying Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club and held a Flight Instructor Rating (A). Her professional credentials included a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with multiple international certifications in aviation security, jet orientation, and language proficiency.
Captain Sumit Kapoor, the co-pilot on the flight, was also described as a seasoned aviation professional, though further details about his background have not yet been officially released.
Authorities have begun a detailed probe into the reported crash, examining technical, operational, and environmental factors, as the state observes official mourning amid an outpouring of condolences from political leaders across party lines.
