The Final Goodbye: Co-pilot's Heartbreaking Last Message to Grandmother
"Hi Dadda, Good morning. Good morning, Chini" – these were the last words Captain Shambhavi Pathak, the 25-year-old co-pilot of the ill-fated aircraft that crashed killing Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, sent to her grandmother Meera Pathak. The message, sent from Mumbai where Shambhavi had boarded the flight, carried special significance as she didn't typically text regularly, leaving her grandmother surprised by the communication.
An Aviation Dream Born in Gwalior
Shambhavi's journey toward the skies began during her childhood in Gwalior, where her father Vikram Pathak, a retired Indian Air Force pilot, was posted at the air base. She studied up to Class 5 at the Air Force Vidya Bharati School in the city, where her ambition to fly first took wings. This early exposure to aviation through her father's career and the Air Force environment planted the seeds of what would become her professional calling.
From Gwalior to Global Skies
After her father's transfer, the family relocated to Delhi, but Shambhavi's determination to become a pilot only grew stronger. She pursued her dream relentlessly, eventually becoming a commercial pilot who trained internationally in New Zealand. Additionally, she received training at the MP Flying Club in Indore, demonstrating her commitment to mastering her craft across different aviation environments and institutions.
A Message That Stood Out
On the morning of the tragic crash, Meera Pathak, who resides in Gwalior, received that unexpected message from her granddaughter in Mumbai. "She didn't message regularly. It left me surprised," Meera recalled about the communication that would become their final exchange. The grandmother learned about the devastating crash from her younger son, who informed her that Shambhavi was among those who had perished in the accident.
Family Connections and Recent Visits
Shambhavi maintained strong family ties despite her demanding career. She visited Gwalior in 2024 for her grandfather's death anniversary and returned on October 12 last year to be with her family on the first anniversary of his passing. These visits highlight the close bond she shared with her family, particularly with her grandmother whom she affectionately called "dadda" in her final message.
The tragic story of Captain Shambhavi Pathak represents not just the loss of a promising young pilot, but the personal connections and dreams that were cut short by the fatal crash. Her journey from Gwalior's Air Force school to commercial aviation training reflects the dedication and passion she brought to her profession, making her untimely death particularly poignant for her family and the aviation community.
