A plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land in Baramati on January 28. All five people on board – Ajit Pawar, his PSO Vidip Jadhav, Captain Sumit Kapoor, Captain Shambhavi Pathak and flight attendant Pinky Mali – died in the crash.
People across the country mourned the death of the Baramati strongman and NCP chief. Many also condoled the deaths of the crew members and the two captains. However, several media outlets used incorrect photos of Captain Sumit Kapoor. Some reports even claimed that it was Sahil Madan who died in the plane crash, not Kapoor.
Who Was the Captain of Ajit Pawar's Plane?
After multiple reports suggested that Sahil Madan was the pilot of the aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar, Sahil Madan’s wife issued a statement on Instagram, clarifying that her husband was alive.
How Did the Confusion Between the Two Pilots Start?
On the morning of January 28, Ajit Pawar boarded a Learjet 45 aircraft from Mumbai to Baramati. At around 8.45 am, the jet crashed in Baramati, killing everyone on board.
After the accident, a letter listing the names of the passengers went viral on social media. The letter appeared to mention both Captain Sahil Madan and Captain Yash Kapoor as pilots. Following this, many people began sharing tributes with Captain Sahil Madan’s photo, believing he had died.
Also Read | Ajit Pawar Passes Away: Who Were on the Plane With Maharashtra Deputy CM?.
According to available information, the pilot assignment was changed at the last minute before departure. Captain Sahil Madan was initially scheduled to fly, but the responsibility was later given to Captain Sumit Kapoor.
Statement From Sahil Madan’s Wife
After the viral posts, Captain Sahil Madan’s wife, Sanjam Sahni, issued a clarification on Instagram. “Please stop these reports. Captain Sahil Madan is my husband and he was not in that crashed plane. He is completely safe,” she said, debunking the incorrect reports about her husband.