Pune: Air India Pilot Maitreyee Shitole Receives Hero’s Welcome in Kusegaon After Preventing Air Disaster
Daund, 25th October 2024: Maitreyee Shrikrishna Shitole, who saved the lives of 141 air passengers, has received praise worldwide. Upon returning home for a two-day vacation, she was warmly welcomed by locals. Maitreyee’s plane had taken off from Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu. At an altitude of 36,000 feet, she realized the plane’s hydraulic system had failed, necessitating an immediate landing. Fearing an accident during the landing, airport authorities dispatched ambulances, fire brigades, police, and doctors to the scene. The plane had to hover for two and a half hours to exhaust its fuel before landing safely.
During this tense period, experts and stakeholders from around the world focused on the situation. Though death seemed imminent, Maitreyee made a calm and decisive choice without hesitation, displaying immense courage in saving the passengers’ lives. Her actions have earned her widespread appreciation. Yesterday, the villagers of Kusegaon in Daund Taluka honored her.
Responding to the honor, Maitreyee said, “I believe the blessings of my parents and all of you are behind me. I am overwhelmed by the love of the villagers.”
Many seniors, youths, and both current and former office bearers from the village panchayat were present. She was also felicitated by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and Daund MLA Rahul Kul before her village program.
