DGCA audit in Feb 2025 found no major safety violations in Ajit Pawar Plane Crash, says Civil Aviation Ministry

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashed while landing at Baramati Airport. Poor visibility, a go-around and missed landing readback preceded the tragedy. AAIB is investigating.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma

Updated : 28 January 2026, 2:15 PM IST

Aircraft had valid safety clearances, says Civil Aviation Ministry

New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the aircraft in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar lost his life was fully compliant with safety norms. The Learjet 45, registered as VT-SSK and manufactured in 2010, had valid airworthiness and safety certificates at the time of the crash.

What the Ministry Said

According to the ministry, the aircraft was operated by VSR Ventures, a Non-Scheduled Operator (NSOP) with a fleet of 17 aircraft. The company holds a valid Air Operator Permit issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted its last regulatory audit of VSR Ventures in February 2025, during which no Level-I or major safety violations were found.

Aircraft Details Shared by Civil Aviation Ministry

DGCA Audit Status

The ministry confirmed that the last regulatory audit of VSR Ventures was conducted in February 2025. The audit reportedly found no Level-I safety violations, indicating compliance with major aviation safety standards.

Operator and Fleet Details

VSR Ventures operates multiple business jets, including Learjet, Embraer, King Air, and Pilatus aircraft, primarily used for VIP and charter services.

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Sequence of event leading to accident

Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield and traffic information is provided by the instructors/Pilot from the Flying training Organisations at Baramati.  As per the statement of the person manning the ATC following are the sequence of events:

• On 28th January 2026 the aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact with Baramati at 0818 IST.
• The aircraft's next call was at 30 NM inbound to Baramati and they were released by Pune approach. They were advised to descend in Visual Meteorological conditions at pilot's discretion.
• The crew enquired about the winds and visibility and they were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3000 mts.
• Next the aircraft reported on the final approach of Runway 11 and the runway was not in sight to them. They initiated a go-around in the first approach.
  

  The Learjet-45 Aircraft

• After Go Around, the aircraft was asked about its position and crew reported on final approach of runway 11.

• They were asked to report runway in sight. They replied “runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight". After a few seconds they reported that the runway is in sight.
• The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 0843IST, however, they did not give a readback of the landing clearance.
• Next, the ATC saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 0844 IST. The emergency services then rushed to the crash site.
• The wreckage of the aircraft is located on the left side of the runway abeam threshold R/W 11.

What is Readback clearance?

Readback clearance means when a pilot repeats back an instruction given by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to confirm it was heard and understood correctly.

Example

ATC: “Cleared to land Runway 11.”
Pilot: “Cleared to land Runway 11.”

Investigation Underway

Despite the aircraft’s valid certifications, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe to determine the exact cause of the crash. Further findings are awaited.