Captain Shambhavi Pathak: The Pilot Who Flew With Courage to Her Last Moment

In the early hours of January 28, 2026, India lost more than a political leader in the tragic Learjet 45 crash near Baramati Airport. Among the five lives lost was Captain Shambhavi Pathak, a young pilot whose journey through aviation reflected discipline, ambition, and an unshakeable commitment to the skies. As visuals of the wreckage spread across television screens and social media, tributes began pouring in not just for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, but also for the crew members who were at the controls until the very end. Among them, Shambhavi’s name stood out, not because she sought attention, but because of the quiet professionalism with which she lived and flew.

A Dream That Took Flight Early

Shambhavi Pathak’s journey into aviation began years before the cockpit. She completed her schooling at Air Force Bal Bharati School, an environment deeply shaped by discipline, structure, and exposure to defence values. Those who studied alongside her remember her as focused and driven, someone who carried herself with calm confidence even as a student.

Her academic path led her to the University of Mumbai, where she pursued a B.Sc. in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology between 2020 and 2022. At a time when many were still exploring career options, Shambhavi was already clear about hers.

Training Beyond Borders

To sharpen her flying skills, Shambhavi trained at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy between 2018 and 2019. There, she underwent professional flight crew and commercial pilot training, earning internationally recognised certifications that reflected both technical competence and discipline.

Over the years, she accumulated multiple qualifications, including:

• Commercial Pilot License issued by India’s DGCA
• CAA Commercial Pilot License from New Zealand
• English Language Proficiency Level 6 from ICAO
• Aviation Security (AVSEC) certification
• Jet Orientation Training for A320 aircraft
• Flight Instructor Rating

She also held a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), having cleared the theoretical requirements for the highest pilot certification, pending flight hour completion.

Aviation As Daily Responsibility, Not Glamour

Since 2022, Shambhavi served as a First Officer on the Learjet 45 with VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., based in Delhi. In this role, she worked closely with the Pilot-in-Command, assisting in navigation, systems monitoring, and flight safety, particularly during critical phases such as landing and approach.

She also served as an Assistant Flight Instructor with the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, quietly contributing to the next generation of pilots. For her, aviation was never about visibility or status; it was about responsibility.

The Final Flight

On January 28, 2026, the Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) departed from Mumbai, carrying Ajit Pawar, his security officer, an attendant, and two crew members. As the aircraft attempted to land at Baramati Airport amid challenging visibility, it veered off the runway during a landing attempt and crashed, bursting into flames.

All five people on board lost their lives.

Initial reports confirmed that Shambhavi Pathak was serving as the First Officer on the flight, alongside Captain Sumit Kapoor, a highly experienced pilot with over 16,000 flying hours. Investigations by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau are ongoing.

How She Is Being Remembered

In the hours following the crash, tributes emerged from across the aviation community, former classmates, instructors, and friends. Social media posts described her as:

• Dedicated and disciplined
• Calm under pressure
• A committed professional
• A warm friend and dependable colleague

One widely shared message described her as a “brilliant student, a loving sibling, and a pilot who always gave her best,” reflecting the personal loss felt beyond official headlines.

While her family has largely remained private during this time of grief, those who knew her closely have spoken of a household that supported her ambitions quietly and consistently, allowing her to chase the skies without fear.

More Than a Name in a Tragedy

In moments like these, it is easy for pilots and crew to be reduced to footnotes in larger news cycles. But Captain Shambhavi Pathak’s story deserves to be told fully, not as a statistic, but as a life lived with purpose.

She represents a generation of Indian aviators who trained globally, returned home, and carried world-class skills into Indian skies. She stood for a profession where courage is not loud, and responsibility is carried silently.

Captain Shambhavi Pathak did not chase recognition.
She chased precision. She chased preparedness and the simple belief that doing your job well matters.
And till her very last second in the cockpit, she did exactly that.
Fly high, Captain. You will not be forgotten.