VSR Aviation Owner says "No Reason to Ground Our Learjets"
VSR Aviation owner defends Learjet fleet as “fit” and refuses to ground them after fatal crash killing Ajit Pawar.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others when his Bombardier Learjet 45, operated by VSR Aviation, crashed minutes before landing at Baramati Airport. The accident occurred while attempting to land amid low visibility, and the aircraft burst into flames on impact. Pawar’s security officer, two pilots, and a flight attendant also perished.
This incident marks the second major crash for VSR Aviation in recent years, following another Learjet 45 accident at Mumbai airport in September 2023. Despite public calls to ground the fleet, VSR Aviation owner VK Singh maintained that the aircraft were “fit and well maintained” and that there were no technical failures involved.
Speaking to the media, Singh emphasized the reliability of the Learjet, highlighting that the captain had over 16,000 hours of flight experience, while the co-pilot had 1,500 hours. He questioned why the company should ground the jets, asserting that Learjets are considered “very dependable” worldwide and that the remaining fleet would continue operations.
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Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft initiated a go-around during its first approach to Runway 11 due to poor visibility. On the second attempt, the crew confirmed the runway in sight but reportedly did not provide a readback of the final landing clearance. Emergency services reached the site within minutes, finding the wreckage near the runway threshold.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has officially taken over the probe. The 2010-manufactured jet held a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) until September 2026, underscoring that the aircraft was legally cleared for operation. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu also cited low visibility conditions as a contributing factor.
VSR Aviation’s past crash and the current tragedy have raised safety concerns for private jets in India. Pawar, a veteran politician, was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati for official engagements, leaving behind his wife, Sunetra, and sons Parth and Jay, as investigations into the accident continue.
Also Read: Ajit Pawar Joins List of Indian Leaders Lost to Aviation Tragedies
