VSR Aviation Director Points to Visibility Issues in Fatal Ajit Pawar Learjet Crash
In the aftermath of the tragic aircraft crash carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the operator has pointed to poor visibility as a primary factor. VK Singh, director of VSR Corp., which operated the doomed flight, made his first public comments outside the company's Mahipalpur compound after meeting with investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Pilot Experience and Flight Maneuvers Before Crash
Singh revealed that the Learjet 45 aircraft performed two complete loops before the pilots attempted an approach from runway 2-9 at Baramati airport. Following a missed approach, they made another landing attempt before the aircraft disappeared from radar.
"Primarily, it appears that the pilot could not see the runway," Singh stated. "That's why he would have carried out the second attempt. The pilot will carry out a missed approach in case he is not comfortable to land on the runway."
Despite the tragic outcome, Singh emphasized both pilots' extensive experience. The captain had accumulated more than 16,000 flight hours and had previously worked with major airlines including Sahara and Jet Airways. The co-pilot also boasted approximately 1,500 hours of experience, with both being described as highly experienced on the Learjet 45 aircraft type.
Maintenance Records and Fleet Status
When questioned about aircraft maintenance, Singh confirmed to The Indian Express that the flight underwent periodic airworthiness checks but could not immediately specify when the last inspection occurred. "I'll need to have those documents in front of me to give that information exactly," he explained.
The company currently operates a total of seven Learjet 45 aircraft within its broader fleet of 18 planes. Singh stated there are no immediate plans to ground the remaining Learjet 45s, defending the aircraft's reliability. "The Learjet worldwide is a very dependable aircraft. So why should we ground them?" he questioned.
Flight Details and Investigation Timeline
The ill-fated aircraft, bearing registration VT-SSK, departed from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at approximately 8:10 AM on Wednesday. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the jet disappeared from radar around 8:45 AM after approximately 35 minutes of flight time.
The flight path indicates the aircraft was making final preparations to land at Baramati airport when it vanished. Preliminary information from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirms that none of the five people onboard survived the crash.
As this constitutes a serious accident, the AAIB has taken charge of the investigation. The Learjet 45 involved was a mid-size business jet manufactured by Canada's Bombardier Aerospace, with approximately 640 such aircraft produced between 1995 and 2012. The specific age of the crashed aircraft remains undisclosed.
Historical Context and Operator Background
This incident marks the second crash involving a VSR Aviation Learjet 45 in recent years. Another aircraft from the same operator crash-landed at Mumbai airport in 2023, though with less severe consequences.
VSR Aviation, based in Delhi, specializes in private jet charter operations. The company's fleet composition and safety record will likely come under increased scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
Singh expressed profound sorrow about the incident, stating, "It is a very unfortunate incident. We're very sad about it. We are trying to first be with the family, solidly with the family, who have lost their loved ones." He added that he currently has no contact with the pilots involved in the crash.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this tragic aviation accident involving prominent political figure Ajit Pawar.
