Captain Shambhavi Pathak, the co-pilot (First Officer) of the ill-fated Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK), was one of the five people killed in the tragic accident that occurred near Baramati Airport on January 28, 2026. The plane, operated by Delhi-based charter firm VSR Aviation, was carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar from Mumbai to Baramati for election- meetings. It crashed during a second landing attempt around 8:45–8:50 am, bursting into flames after straying from the runway, and poor visibility was cited as a possible cause. Everyone on board the plane was killed, including Pawar (66), his personal security officer Vidit Jadhav, attendant Pinky Mali, pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapoor (over 16,000 flying hours) and Pathak.

Pathak was a qualified commercial pilot and had a strong aviation background. He completed his schooling from Air Force Bal Bharti School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, Aviation and Aerospace Science and Technology from the University of Mumbai. He underwent advanced flight training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy and obtained a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India. Pathak also worked as an Assistant Flying Instructor at Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, and achieved Flight Instructor Rating (A). Being associated with VSR Ventures since 2022, she had completed approximately 1,500 flying hours and was considered trained for business jet operations.

The Bombardier Learjet 45 attempted to land in difficult conditions but lost control, causing a fatal collision and fire. The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched an investigation into weather, operational and technical aspects. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (who demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation amid skepticism), expressed grief. Maharashtra declared three days of state mourning, and Pawar’s funeral was held with state honors in Baramati on 29 January, attended by dignitaries. Pathak’s death highlights the risks faced by aviation professionals serving high-profile passengers. Tributes have emphasized his dedication and his promising career that was cut short by this tragic incident.