A tragic aircraft accident in Baramati, Maharashtra, on 28 January has claimed the lives of five individuals, including pilot Sumit Kapoor and prominent politician Ajit Pawar. The other victims were co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security officer Vidip Yadav. According to friends of Kapoor, he had not been originally scheduled to operate the flight but stepped in to cover for another pilot.
Sumit Kapoor’s close associates shared during his funeral in New Delhi on Monday that he had returned to India just days earlier from Hong Kong. On the day of the accident, a few hours before the crash, Kapoor had received instructions to fly Ajit Pawar from Mumbai to Baramati in Pune district.
The group had departed at 8:00 AM on 28 January aboard a Learjet 45 owned by VSR Ventures to attend an election rally. Alongside Ajit Pawar, the aircraft carried three other passengers.
At approximately 8:45 AM, while attempting a second landing at Baramati Airport, the aircraft crashed. Preliminary investigations suggest that dense fog and reduced visibility may have contributed to pilot error, though mechanical failure has not yet been ruled out.
Kapoor’s friends and family have expressed strong reservations about this initial conclusion, describing him as an exceptionally experienced pilot with an impeccable record. They have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the accident.
Those who knew Kapoor remember him as a compassionate, responsible individual with a deep passion for flying. Aviation ran in his family: both his son and son-in-law are pilots, and one of his brothers is a businessman in Gurgaon.
Passenger Details – 28 January Baramati Crash
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sumit Kapoor | Pilot | Deceased |
| Shambhavi Pathak | Co-pilot | Deceased |
| Pinky Mali | Flight Attendant | Deceased |
| Vidip Yadav | Security Officer | Deceased |
| Ajit Pawar | Passenger, Politician | Deceased |
Friends recounted that Kapoor’s body was identified by a wrist bracelet. Another friend, G.S. Grover, recalled that Kapoor, upon returning from Hong Kong, frequently shared advice on health and safety practices.
Kapoor’s family and close friends have urged the government to conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the true cause of the crash, emphasising that understanding the underlying factors is crucial to preventing future tragedies.