The tragic aircraft crash in Baramati on Wednesday morning, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and six others, has left a deep void in the hearts of many, including the close-knit community in South Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave. Among the victims was Shambhavi Pathak, one of the pilots of the chartered aircraft, remembered fondly by her neighbors as a sweet and friendly individual.
A Life Cut Short: Remembering Shambhavi Pathak
Shambhavi Pathak, a 24-year-old pilot, was described by 62-year-old Meenu Walia, a neighbor in Safdarjung Enclave, as a cheerful and caring person who always greeted others warmly. "Shambhavi would always greet me whenever she met me on the street. She was such a sweet girl," Walia recounted to The Indian Express. The Pathak family, known for their friendly demeanor, had been neighbors for two years before relocating within the same neighborhood just days before the incident. On Wednesday, the family chose not to speak with reporters, grieving in private.
Career and Background of the Deceased Pilot
According to her LinkedIn profile, Shambhavi Pathak had been working as a First Officer on the Learjet 45 for VSR Ventures (VSR Aviation) for the past three and a half years. Her educational and professional journey included:
- Completing high school from Air Force Bal Bharti School in 2018.
- Training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.
- Serving as an Assistant Flight Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club.
- Studying for a B.Sc in Aviation at the University of Mumbai, with the degree condensed to two years due to her Commercial Pilot Licence.
The aircraft involved, a 15-year-old Bombardier Learjet 45 with registration VT-SSK, took off from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at approximately 8:10 AM and disappeared from radar at 8:45 AM, as per Flightradar24 data. The flight path indicated a loop maneuver before the disappearance.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The crash resulted in the deaths of all on board, including:
- Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
- Shambhavi Pathak, First Officer.
- Sumit Kapoor, the other pilot.
- Pawar's personal security officer.
- A flight attendant.
This incident has sparked widespread mourning and raised questions about aviation safety, with investigations likely to follow. The community in Delhi and beyond continues to remember Shambhavi Pathak for her bright personality and dedication to her career, highlighting the human stories behind such tragedies.
