The chartered Learjet 45 that crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning did not just carry a senior political leader, but also carried personal dreams and unfinished conversations.
Among the five people killed in the crash were 29-year-old cabin crew member Pinky Mali and pilot-in-command Captain Shambhavi Pathak, two young aviation professionals whose lives were cut short within seconds of impact.
Who was Pinky Mali?
Pinky Mali, a 29-year-old cabin crew member based in Mumbai, was among the five people who lost their lives when a chartered Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport.
Her sudden death has drawn attention not only to the tragic accident but also to the life of a young aviation professional whose final conversation with her family spoke of routine duty and plans.
Pinky Mali’s roots trace back to Bhainsa village in Kerakat tehsil of Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district, located nearly 40 km from the district headquarters. Residents of the village spoke about the family’s long-standing ties to the area and remembered Pinky as someone deeply connected to her ancestral home.
Pinky Mali’s Last Conversation with her Father
The aircraft, flying from Mumbai to Baramati with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on board, burst into flames after overshooting the runway during its second landing attempt. There were no survivors. As investigators piece together what went wrong in the final moments, a deeply emotional detail has emerged. Pinky Mali’s last phone call to her father was made just hours before the crash.
“Papa, I am flying to Baramati tomorrow (Wednesday) with DCM Ajit Pawar. After dropping him, I will go to Nanded and will speak to you once I reach the hotel…” Shivkumar said, recounting his last conversation with his daughter.
That promised call never came.
#WATCH | Charter plane crash landing in Baramati | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Kumar Mali, father of Pinky Mali, who was a member of the crew on the ill-fated charter plane, says, “I spoke to her for the last time yesterday. She told me that she will head to Baramati with Ajit Dada.… pic.twitter.com/Pvj2pdHChR
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
Pinky Mali Age
Pinky Mali was 29 years old at the time of her death. She lived with her family in Worli, Mumbai, and frequently travelled across the country as part of her aviation duties. Originally from Bhainsa village in Jaunpur district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Pinky’s journey reflected that of many young professionals who move cities in pursuit of career opportunities.
Family members described her as disciplined, cheerful, and deeply committed to her work, traits that made her a trusted member of VIP flight crews.
Pinky Mali Father
Pinky Mali’s father’s name is Mr. Shivkumar Mali, and he is a resident of Dadar, Prabhadevi, and is associated with NCP, according to several media reports. Pinky Mali was flying with Ajit Pawar for the fourth time.
A local villager, Ashok Singh, recalled that Pinky’s father frequently visited Bhainsa and took an active role in organising Durga Puja celebrations every year, keeping the family’s traditions alive. According to villagers, the family’s last visit to Bhainsa was about a year and a half ago.
Pinky’s cousin, Sheetla Prasad Mali, shared that her father, Shiv Kumar Mali, is one of five brothers. The family had already gone through a period of grief recently, as Pinky’s grandfather, Babu Ram, passed away last year.
Pinky Mali Husband
Pinky was married to Somvikar Saini, and over time, most members of the extended family had shifted to Mumbai, though their emotional bond with their native village remained strong. Somvikar is a manager in a private firm, and left for Baramati following the crash.
Pinky Mali Education
Pinky completed her schooling and higher education in Thane, Maharashtra. After finishing her studies, she chose an aviation career and underwent professional training required to work as a cabin crew member on chartered and VIP flights.
Her education and training prepared her to operate in high-pressure environments, including flights involving senior political leaders and dignitaries.
Pinky Mali Flight Attendant Career
Pinky Mali worked as a cabin crew member on chartered aircraft, handling VIP operations and private flights. Her father revealed that she had previously flown with the President, chief ministers, and several senior political leaders, highlighting the level of trust placed in her professionalism.
She was flying with Ajit Pawar for the fourth time, indicating her regular assignment on high-profile routes. On the day of the crash, she was performing routine duty on the Mumbai–Baramati sector.
In her final conversation with her father, she sounded calm and optimistic, outlining her schedule after dropping Ajit Pawar in Baramati before heading onward to Nanded.
Pinky Mali Final Call That Turned Into a Last Goodbye
Shortly before the flight, Pinky spoke to her father, Shivkumar Mali, and said, “Papa, I am flying to Baramati tomorrow (Wednesday) with DCM Ajit Pawar. After dropping him, I will go to Nanded and will speak to you once I reach the hotel…”
That call became her last known conversation, a moment that now underscores the human cost behind the tragedy.
Pinky Mali Family
Pinky Mali is survived by her parents, brother Karan, and sister Preeti. News of her death plunged both her Mumbai neighbourhood and her native village into mourning. Colleagues from the aviation sector and residents remembered her as a hardworking professional who took pride in her role.
As investigations continue into the Baramati crash, Pinky Mali’s story stands as a reminder that behind every aviation incident are lives cut short far too soon.
