Baramati, Pune,Maharashtra: A private aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of all five people on board. The aircraft, a Bombardier Lear Jet 45, was operating a flight from Mumbai to Baramati when it caught fire near the runway during landing.

Among those killed in the tragic incident was First Officer Shambhavi Pathak, who was serving as the co-pilot of the aircraft. The victims also included another pilot, a security officer, and an assistant. The crash has sent shockwaves across political and aviation circles in Maharashtra.

Shambhavi Pathak began her aviation journey at a young age and was regarded as a highly promising pilot. She completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharti School in Delhi between 2016 and 2018, where she displayed strong academic performance and a keen interest in aviation from an early stage.

She later pursued higher education at the University of Mumbai, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, Aviation, Aerospace Science and Technology. To further strengthen her professional expertise, she underwent advanced flight training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

January 28, 2026

According to her professional profile, Shambhavi gained substantial hands-on flying experience before joining VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., the company operating the ill-fated aircraft. Friends and acquaintances expressed deep sorrow over her untimely death, remembering her as a bright student and a dedicated professional whose loss is deeply felt in the aviation community.