The unfortunate crash of the Bombardier Learjet 45, killing all on board, including Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, while landing at Baramati, has turned the spotlight on VSR Aviation, a New Delhi–based non-scheduled operator that managed the aircraft.
The business jet, registered as VT-SSK, was operating a charter flight from Mumbai when it crashed at the Baramati airport.
Aviation company’s top official VK Singh told Aaj Tak that the aircraft was 100 per cent safe, and the crew was fairly experienced. It said that the crash could have been due to poor visibility, and that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would probe the matter.
The aircraft: Bombardier Learjet 45
Pawar and his staff were flying a Learjet 45, often called the ‘limousine of the skies’. It is a mid-size business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace between 1998 and 2009, as per Global Air.
It is considered a staple for corporate charters and political travel in India due to its ability to land on shorter runways, like Baramati, where larger jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 cannot go.
Two Honeywell TFE731 engines power the jet, which has a cruising speed of Mach 0.78–0.81 and a maximum operating altitude of 51,000 feet.
It typically seats up to eight passengers and has a range of about 1,685–2,235 nautical miles, making it suitable for short- and medium-haul sectors, as per Global Air.
Its performance profile allows for high-speed point-to-point travel but also demands precise handling during critical phases such as approach and landing, as per Global Air.
Despite being known for its luxury flying experience, the aircraft has been involved in landing incidents globally, often attributed to its high approach speeds, which leave little margin for pilot error during poor visibility or “unstabilized approaches.”
Even though a thorough investigation has been ordered, the airport manager claimed the aircraft crashed while attempting to land. It then veered off the side of the runway during the manoeuvre and exploded.
Previous Learjet incident involving a VSR-linked entity
This is not the first time a Learjet operated by a VSR-linked entity has been involved in an accident. On 14 September 2023, a VSR Ventures-owned Learjet 45XR (VT-DBL) crash landed at Mumbai airport during heavy rain and reduced visibility.
The fuselage broke into two, and a fire broke out, though all eight occupants survived, with some sustaining injuries, as per a report by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
That aircraft, arriving from Visakhapatnam, drifted off the runway after the autopilot was disconnected. Cockpit warnings, including a stick shaker and stall alerts, were reported, followed by enhanced ground proximity warning system alerts.
Fleet and ownership
The Learjet 45 involved in Pawar’s fatal crash was owned by VSR Ventures Private Limited, an entity linked to VSR Aviation. As per Zauba Corp, the directors of the company are Vijay Kumar Singh and Rohit Singh.
Its fleet includes aircraft such as the Learjet 45XR, Beechcraft Super King Air B200, and Agusta 109 helicopters, supporting charter, helicopter rental, medical evacuation, and aircraft leasing operations.
VSR Aviation: profile of the operator
The aircraft was operated by VSR Aviation, a New Delhi–based non-scheduled operator with its registered office in Mahipalpur, as per the company’s website.
Founded in 2009, as per their LinkedIn profile, the company positions itself as a one-stop aviation services provider offering round-the-clock operations from cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhopal.
Furthermore, the website states that VSR Aviation provides private jet charters, aircraft leasing, air ambulance services, and empty-leg flights, along with aviation consulting, spare part sourcing, and aircraft management services.
The company claims over 15 years of experience, a pool of more than 60 pilots, and a 99% customer satisfaction rate. Furthermore, the company states that it caters primarily to corporate travellers and clients requiring access to remote locations not served by scheduled airlines.