Tragic Air Accident Claims Lives of Five Including Deputy CM
In a devastating incident on January 28, 2026, a Learjet 45 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. crashed at Baramati during a flight from Mumbai. The aircraft, registered VT-SSK, was carrying five individuals, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar. Tragically, all aboard suffered fatal injuries in the accident.
Details of the Operator and Aircraft
VSR Ventures, a Non-Scheduled Operator (NSOP), has been operational since April 21, 2014, and holds Permit No. 07/2014, which is valid until April 20, 2028. The company maintains a fleet of 17 aircraft, including seven Learjet 45s like VT-SSK, five Embraer 135BJ jets, four King Air B200s, and one Pilatus PC-12.
The last regulatory audit conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was in February 2025, with no serious findings reported. However, it was noted that another Learjet 45 operated by the company was involved in an accident at Mumbai Airport on September 14, 2023, which is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Aircraft Specifications
The ill-fated Learjet 45, manufactured in 2010, had its latest Certificate of Airworthiness issued on December 16, 2021. Its airworthiness review was last completed on September 10, 2025, and was valid until September 14, 2026. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had logged 4,915 hours and 5,867 cycles since being put into service.
Flight Crew Information
The captain, an ATPL holder, had amassed over 15,000 flight hours and had passed their last medical examination in November 2025, valid until May 2026. The co-pilot was a CPL holder with approximately 1,500 flight hours and had their last medical check-up in July 2025, valid until July 2026.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Accident
On the day of the incident, the aircraft made initial contact with Baramati air traffic control at 08:18 IST. It was advised to descend into Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at the pilot’s discretion. The crew reported calm winds and visibility around 3,000 meters.
During the final approach to Runway 11, the pilots initiated a go-around after failing to see the runway. Unfortunately, shortly after reporting the runway in sight, the aircraft was cleared to land, but did not acknowledge the clearance. At 08:44 IST, flames were observed near the runway’s threshold, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene.
The wreckage was located on the left side of Runway 11, near the threshold. The DG of AAIB has been dispatched to the accident site to begin a thorough investigation into the tragic crash. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
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