Friends Say Captain Sumit Kapoor Wasn’t Supposed to Fly Ajit Pawar’s Plane

With more updates on Ajit Pawar’s plane crash in Baramati, friends of Captain Sumit Kapoor, who was among the victims who lost his life, have shared a fact about him.

Was Sumit Kapoor Scheduled to Pilot the Flight?

Friends say Sumit Kapoor was not originally scheduled to fly the late NCP leader’s aircraft. They claim another pilot was supposed to fly the flight.

​Because the other pilot was delayed in traffic, Kapoor stepped in to fly. His friends also mentioned he had returned from Hong Kong just a few days before the flight.

​At Kapoor's funeral in Delhi, his friends told the media that he was asked to fly the aircraft to Baramati so Pawar could attend election rallies.

​At approximately 8:00 AM, Kapoor departed from Delhi in a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures, heading toward Baramati.

​Tragically, a few hours later, that flight ended in disaster when the aircraft crashed around 8:45 AM.

​The crash occurred during Kapoor’s second attempt to land at Baramati Airport.

​Those who died in the crash included the NCP leader, co-pilot Captain Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and Pawar’s security guard Vidip Jadhav.

Ajit Pawar Plane Pilot Controversy: Probe Flags Possible Pilot Error

According to sources, early findings indicate the pilot made an error during landing in poor visibility.

​Officials are even probing the matter to determine whether there are any technical glitches with the aircraft.

Background on Sumit Kapoor: The Pilot Involved in the Crash

Captain Sumit Kapoor was in charge of flying a Learjet 45 that met with a tragic end while landing near Baramati Airport on 28th January 2026.

​He was a professional pilot with 15,000  hours of flying time.

​After his tragic death, his funeral was conducted in Delhi, attended by his family, friends, and community members who bid him a final farewell.

​Regarding the deceased pilot’s family, they said his son and son-in-law are in the aviation profession.

​His son and daughter are both married. Kapoor also has a brother who runs a business in Gurugram.

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Highly Experienced Pilot’s Friends Demand Proper Probe

Kapoor’s friends claim that he was an experienced pilot; hence, it is hard to believe that he would commit any blunder.

​They are demanding a proper investigation into this recent plane crash.

​Recalling Kapoor, his friends said he was a very kind person and more passionate about flying than anyone else.

​One of his friends, Sachin Taneja, said that the officials identified his body by the bracelet he was wearing during the flight.

​Naresh Taneja, his friend, said that it was hard for anyone to believe when they heard about his death in the plane crash.

​GS Grover, a friend of Kapoor, revealed his long hour conversation with him. Kapoor told him to take extra care of his health.

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