Ajit Pawar’s 2024 post on women pilots resurfaces after fatal Baramati charter plane crash

The flight crew consisted of Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.

A social media post written by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in January 2024 has reappeared online following his death in a charter aircraft crash near Baramati, prompting widespread discussion across social media platforms.

In the post, shared on X (formerly Twitter) two years ago, Pawar had written: “When we travel by helicopter or plane, if our plane or helicopter lands smoothly, we understand that the pilot is a woman.” He had included the hashtag #NCPWomenPower, linking the comment to his party’s emphasis on women’s participation and leadership.

At the time, the post was positioned as a remark praising the attention, discipline and technical ability required for aircraft landings, while also drawing attention to women pilots and the Nationalist Congress Party’s women-focused initiatives.

The post has drawn renewed attention after Pawar died on Wednesday when the chartered business jet he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Maharashtra. The coincidence has led several users to recirculate the post, with many describing the timing as striking given the details of the flight crew.

When we travel by helicopter or plane, if our plane or helicopter lands smoothly, we understand that the pilot is a woman.#NCPWomenPower

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— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) January 18, 2024

Details of the crash: 

The aircraft, a business jet registered as VT-SSK, had departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai earlier in the morning. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend scheduled political and election-related engagements.

According to official information, the jet was on final approach to Baramati Airport at around 8:45 am when it encountered difficulties close to the runway. Emergency services were mobilised immediately, but authorities later confirmed that all five people on board had died in the crash.

The flight crew consisted of Captain Sumit Kapoor and First Officer Shambhavi Pathak.Aviation officials stated that both pilots were licensed, experienced, and familiar with charter operations involving similar aircraft.

Captain Kapoor reportedly had approximately 16,000 flying hours. Shambhavi Pathak, who was assisting with aircraft handling, navigation and communication with air traffic control at the time of the incident, was described by officials as fully qualified for her role.

Operator’s statement:

VSR Aviation, which operated the aircraft, said both pilots were based in Delhi and had accumulated substantial flying experience.

VK Singh, a senior official at VSR Aviation, told the media that the aircraft was in sound condition prior to the flight.

“The aircraft was absolutely fit to the best of our knowledge. There was no technical failure. It was very well maintained,” he said.

Singh added that early information pointed towards poor visibility as a possible contributing factor. “Primarily, it appears there was no visibility. The pilot made an approach to the runway, carried out a missed approach, and then made another attempt. If a pilot cannot see the runway, he will carry out a missed approach,” he said.

A formal investigation has been initiated, with aviation authorities examining weather conditions, operational procedures and flight data. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to play a central role in determining the cause of the accident.