AAIB Investigators Question VSR Aviation Staff After Fatal Learjet Crash Involving Ajit Pawar
Hours after a chartered Learjet operated by Delhi-based VSR Aviation crashed at Baramati airport, carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) arrived at the flight operator's office to initiate a preliminary inquiry. The scene at the VSR Aviation compound in Mahipalpur's L block was tense as investigators sought to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
Gatekeeper's Plea and Initial Resistance
At the compound, AAIB officials encountered a gatekeeper who pleaded for leniency, stating, "Sir, I am a poor man. I have children to think about." His voice trembled as he faced the investigators, who assured him that cooperation would ensure his safety. The officials requested his Aadhaar card for identity verification, emphasizing the need for transparency in the investigation.
According to the gatekeeper, the AAIB team arrived around 11:30 am, and by 11:40 am, they were actively interrogating him. Dressed in a beige sweatshirt and navy blue pants, the middle-aged man repeatedly resisted, saying, "I have kids to take care of, I don't know anything about those guys you saw." This interaction highlighted the initial challenges faced by investigators in gathering information.
Mysterious Disappearances and Basement Investigation
The investigation took a puzzling turn when AAIB officials noted that three to four individuals seen earlier in the office compound had suddenly vanished. Suspecting hidden connections, the investigators proceeded to a door in the basement, which was closed from the inside. One official questioned, "If no one is inside the office, how is it closed from inside?" This raised suspicions about potential attempts to obstruct the inquiry.
After waiting in their official white Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, the situation evolved around 12:15 pm when a person from VSR Ventures arrived and opened the office. Although his identity could not be immediately confirmed, he accompanied the AAIB officials inside. Shortly after, another official arrived, removing his lanyard before entering the compound. As discussions commenced inside, the shutter was closed from the outside, adding to the mystery.
Flight Details and Crash Confirmation
The ill-fated Learjet 45, bearing registration VT-SSK, took off from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at approximately 8:10 am. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft flew for about 35 minutes before disappearing from radar at 8:45 am near Baramati airport. The flight path showed the jet making a loop to align with the runway for landing before the crash occurred.
According to preliminary information from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), none of the five people on board survived the crash. This has prompted a serious investigation by the AAIB, given the high-profile nature of the incident involving Ajit Pawar.
Background on VSR Aviation and the Learjet 45
VSR Aviation, based in Delhi, operates a fleet of 18 aircraft, including the crashed Learjet 45. The company's services encompass private jet charter, leasing, and air ambulance operations, with primary bases in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhopal. Registrar of Companies (RoC) records reveal that VSR Aviation comprises two entities: VSR Ventures and VSR Aero Engineering, with Vijay Kumar Singh and Rohit Singh serving as directors. Sources indicate that Rohit Singh is the son of Vijay Kumar Singh, and both are trained pilots.
The Learjet 45 involved in the crash is a mid-size business jet manufactured by Canada's Bombardier Aerospace, with approximately 640 units produced between 1995 and 2012. This nine-seater aircraft, part of VSR Aviation's fleet, met a tragic end, though details such as its age remain undisclosed at this time.
As the AAIB continues its probe, the focus remains on uncovering the causes behind this devastating crash and ensuring accountability in aviation safety standards.
