Mumbai: What began as a routine charter operation ended in disaster on January 28, 2026, when a Learjet 45 crashed near Baramati Airport in Pune district, killing everyone on board. While the incident claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, it also took away two highly trained pilots and other crew members whose final moments were spent attempting to bring the aircraft safely to the ground.
The business jet, registered as VT-SSK, took off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport early Wednesday morning. On board were five occupants, including Ajit Pawar, who was travelling to Baramati for political and election-related engagements. As the aircraft approached its destination, trouble reportedly emerged during the final phase of the flight.
Around 8:45 am, while lining up for landing at Baramati Airport, the jet encountered difficulties close to the runway. Emergency teams rushed to the site within minutes, but officials later confirmed that there were no survivors.
The aircraft was operated by Delhi-based charter company VSR Aviation and was under the command of Captain Sumit Kapoor, an experienced pilot-in-command known within corporate aviation circles for his long service on business jets. With years of flying hours behind him, Kapoor was responsible for managing the approach and landing under challenging conditions on what was meant to be a short domestic sector.
Assisting him in the cockpit was First Officer Captain Shambhavi Pathak, a young but accomplished aviator whose career had steadily risen through dedication and rigorous training. Pathak completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School and went on to pursue professional flight training in New Zealand. She earned her Commercial Pilot License in line with both New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority and India’s DGCA standards.
Her academic journey included a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of Mumbai, after which she contributed to pilot training in India. Before joining charter operations, she served as an Assistant Flight Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, where she trained aspiring pilots and earned respect for her technical knowledge, discipline, and calm cockpit presence.
Aviation officials have confirmed that both pilots were fully qualified to operate the Learjet 45 and were familiar with similar charter routes. Investigators are now examining multiple factors, including aircraft data, weather conditions, maintenance records, and communication with air traffic control. Preliminary details suggest the aircraft involved was around 16 years old, though authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.
