Captain Shambhavi Pathak, one of the five people who died in the plane crash in Baramati, Pune on Wednesday morning, was a highly trained and experienced pilot. She was serving as the First Officer on the Learjet 45 that was carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar from Mumbai to Baramati. The aircraft went down just minutes before its scheduled landing, claiming the lives of all on board, including the pilot-in-command, Captain Sahil Madan, Pawar, his personal security officer, another crew member, and a flight attendant. Aviation authorities confirmed that both pilots were certified and familiar with charter operations on this type of aircraft.
Pathak completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School from 2016 to 2018 and later trained at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology from the University of Mumbai. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant Flying Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, where she held a Flight Instructor Rating (A) and trained aspiring pilots. Colleagues remembered her for her discipline, technical precision, and commitment to aviation.
Her professional qualifications were extensive. She held Commercial Pilot Licenses from both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, as well as a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) from the DGCA. She also completed Aviation Security training with SpiceJet, Jet Orientation training for the Airbus A320 with Jordan Airline Training and Simulation, and achieved Level 6 English Language Proficiency certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
VSR Aviation official V.K. Singh said both pilots were based in Delhi and had logged significant flying hours, with no prior indication of technical issues. Preliminary investigations suggest that poor visibility may have contributed to the crash. Emergency services, including fire, police, and NDRF teams, rushed to the site where thick black smoke was seen rising from the wreckage.
