The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe into the Learjet 45 crash at Baramati airport that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on January 28, aviation officials said.
The aircraft, a Learjet 45 bearing registration VT-SSK, was operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd and was flying the Mumbai–Baramati sector when it met with the accident. There were five people on board, including two crew members, according to a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) statement.
Aircraft and operator details
VSR Ventures is a non-scheduled operator (NSOP) holding Permit No. 07/2014. The company’s Air Operator Permit was last renewed on April 3, 2023, and remains valid until April 20, 2028. The operator currently has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including seven Learjet 45s, five Embraer 135BJ aircraft, four King Air B200 aircraft, and one Pilatus PC-12.
The DGCA carried out the operator’s last regulatory audit in February 2025, with no Level-I findings reported.
The crashed aircraft was manufactured in 2010. Its certificate of registration was issued on December 27, 2022, while the certificate of airworthiness was issued on December 16, 2021. The airworthiness review certificate (ARC) was valid until September 14, 2026.
As of January 26, 2026, the aircraft had logged 4,915 flight hours.
The last airworthiness review had been carried out 85 hours and 49 minutes prior to the accident.
Engine and crew details
The jet was powered by Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines.
The aircraft was being flown by an ATPL-qualified commander with over 15,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with approximately 1,500 hours of flying experience. Both pilots held valid medical examinations and instrument ratings at the time of the flight.Also Read: Runway not in sight’ - how the final moments unfolded in Baramati crash
Sequence of events
According to preliminary information, Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, with traffic information provided by flight instructors or pilots from local flying training organisations.
The aircraft first made contact with Baramati at 08:18 IST. At around 30 nautical miles inbound, the crew was released by Pune Approach and advised to descend under visual meteorological conditions at the pilot’s discretion.
The crew sought information on wind and visibility, and were informed that winds were calm and visibility was approximately 3,000 metres.
The aircraft later reported being on final approach for Runway 11, but indicated that the runway was not in sight, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around. After reporting their position again, the crew stated they were on final for Runway 11 and were asked to confirm the runway in sight.
Moments later, the crew reported that the runway was visible. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 11 at 08:43 IST, but did not provide a readback of the landing clearance.
At 08:44 IST, air traffic services observed flames around the threshold of Runway 11, and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the crash site. The wreckage was later found on the left side of the runway, abeam the threshold.Also Read: Jet involved in Ajit Pawar plane crash has history of accidents
Investigation underway
The AAIB has formally taken over the investigation, and the Director General of the bureau is reaching the accident site to begin a detailed probe. Authorities said further information will be released as the investigation progresses.
he crash marks the second serious incident involving a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures, after one of its aircraft with registration VT-DBL was involved in a runway excursion during landing at Mumbai airport in September 2023, an incident that remains under investigation.
The aircraft, a Learjet 45 bearing registration VT-SSK, was operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd and was flying the Mumbai–Baramati sector when it met with the accident. There were five people on board, including two crew members, according to a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) statement.
Aircraft and operator details
VSR Ventures is a non-scheduled operator (NSOP) holding Permit No. 07/2014. The company’s Air Operator Permit was last renewed on April 3, 2023, and remains valid until April 20, 2028. The operator currently has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including seven Learjet 45s, five Embraer 135BJ aircraft, four King Air B200 aircraft, and one Pilatus PC-12.
The DGCA carried out the operator’s last regulatory audit in February 2025, with no Level-I findings reported.
The crashed aircraft was manufactured in 2010. Its certificate of registration was issued on December 27, 2022, while the certificate of airworthiness was issued on December 16, 2021. The airworthiness review certificate (ARC) was valid until September 14, 2026.
As of January 26, 2026, the aircraft had logged 4,915 flight hours.
The last airworthiness review had been carried out 85 hours and 49 minutes prior to the accident.
Engine and crew details
The jet was powered by Honeywell TFE731-20BR engines.
The aircraft was being flown by an ATPL-qualified commander with over 15,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with approximately 1,500 hours of flying experience. Both pilots held valid medical examinations and instrument ratings at the time of the flight.Also Read: Runway not in sight’ - how the final moments unfolded in Baramati crash
Sequence of events
According to preliminary information, Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, with traffic information provided by flight instructors or pilots from local flying training organisations.
The aircraft first made contact with Baramati at 08:18 IST. At around 30 nautical miles inbound, the crew was released by Pune Approach and advised to descend under visual meteorological conditions at the pilot’s discretion.
The crew sought information on wind and visibility, and were informed that winds were calm and visibility was approximately 3,000 metres.
The aircraft later reported being on final approach for Runway 11, but indicated that the runway was not in sight, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around. After reporting their position again, the crew stated they were on final for Runway 11 and were asked to confirm the runway in sight.
Moments later, the crew reported that the runway was visible. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 11 at 08:43 IST, but did not provide a readback of the landing clearance.
At 08:44 IST, air traffic services observed flames around the threshold of Runway 11, and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the crash site. The wreckage was later found on the left side of the runway, abeam the threshold.Also Read: Jet involved in Ajit Pawar plane crash has history of accidents
Investigation underway
The AAIB has formally taken over the investigation, and the Director General of the bureau is reaching the accident site to begin a detailed probe. Authorities said further information will be released as the investigation progresses.
he crash marks the second serious incident involving a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures, after one of its aircraft with registration VT-DBL was involved in a runway excursion during landing at Mumbai airport in September 2023, an incident that remains under investigation.
