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Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot) Biography: Age, Career, Family and

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1961

Age59 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceDehradun, Uttarakhand

ProfessionCommander of Air India; Former IAF test pilot

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSushama Namjoshi Sathe

FamilyTwo sons: Dhananjay and Shantanu; Parents Vasant Sathe and Neela Sathe

Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot) Biography

Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe was an experienced Indian pilot and former test pilot who served as a commander for Air India. Born in 1961 in Dehradun, he had

Early life and background

Deepak Vasant Sathe was born in 1961 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He attended Cambrian Hall in Dehradun for his school education and went on to train at the National Defence Academy in Pune and the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad. His father, Vasant Sathe, served in the Indian Army Education Corps, and his mother is Neela Sathe. He grew up in a military family; his younger years were shaped by that environment and by the loss of an elder brother, Lieutenant Vikas Sathe, who died in an accident in Punjab after a military exercise in 1981.

Career

Sathe joined the Indian Air Force in 1981 and became associated with the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (A&STE), the service’s flight testing unit. Over a career that included work as a test pilot, he rose to be recognized as an accomplished aviator and retired from the IAF in 2003. He was awarded the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, an honor presented to a cadet on merit.

After his IAF career he continued in civil aviation and served as a commander for Air India. In August 2020 he was listed as the captain of Air India Express flight IX 1344, a repatriation service operating under the Vande Bharat mission that was bringing passengers from Dubai back to India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public profile

Sathe lived in Powai, Mumbai, with his wife, Sushama Namjoshi Sathe, and his two sons, Dhananjay and Shantanu. Dhananjay worked as a staff engineer and executive director at Rapyuta Robotics in Bangalore; Shantanu was living in the United States. Sathe enjoyed sports such as badminton, squash and horse riding. Physically, he was described as about 178 cm tall with grey eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.

Colleagues from his test pilot days remembered him for his professionalism and contributions. A retired Air Vice Marshal who had worked with him at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment paid tribute to Sathe as a comrade and referred to him by the test-pilot call sign tradition.

Death and circumstances

On 7 August 2020, Captain Sathe was the commander of Air India Express flight IX 1344, which was operating from Dubai to Kozhikode (Calicut) as part of efforts to return passengers who had been stranded abroad. During the landing at Kozhikode International Airport in heavy rain, the aircraft overran the runway, dropped into a valley and broke into two pieces. The accident occurred on 7 August 2020 at Kozhikode airport in Kerala. At the time of his death Sathe was 59 years old.

Family remembrance and reactions

Following the crash, family members and colleagues expressed shock and grief. His mother recalled his care and concern for the family during the pandemic. Relatives said he had last met his parents in March and had been in regular phone contact. Those who knew him highlighted episodes from his service, including rescuing children of servicemen during floods and being recognized for excellence during his Air Force training.

Latest updates

Investigative and aviation authorities provided technical details about the incident, noting weather and runway conditions at the time. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that visibility was limited and that the aircraft continued beyond the runway end before falling into the valley and breaking up. The aircraft involved was a 13-year-old Boeing 737-8. Media and official statements following the accident documented the sequence of events and responses from rescue and regulatory agencies.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Air India Express Flight IX 1344 (Commander)

Repatriation flight from Dubai to Kozhikode operating under the Vande Bharat mission; involved in the accident on 7 August 2020.

2020
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Career Highlights

  1. Joined the Indian Air Force in 1981 and served with the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment
  2. Retired as a test pilot from the Indian Air Force in 2003
  3. Awarded the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy
  4. Served as a commander for Air India
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot) born?

1961

What is Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot) known for?

Commander of Air India; Former IAF test pilot

What is Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot)’s marital status?

Married

Who is Captain Deepak Vasant Sathe (Pilot) married to?

Sushama Namjoshi Sathe