The Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed in Maharashtra’s Baramati, claiming the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, had been in a landing accident at Mumbai airport in September 2023, as confirmed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, the aircraft had a history of incidents, including a separate Learjet 45 registered as VT-DBL that also had a landing accident in Mumbai on September 14, 2023, currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Despite the past incidents, the company maintains a fleet of 17 aircraft, including Learjet 45 units, Embraer 135BJ aircraft, King Air B200s, and a Pilatus PC-12.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation disclosed that VSR Ventures’ Air Operator Permit, initially issued in 2014, was renewed in April 2023 and remains valid until 2028. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted a regulatory audit of the operator in February 2025, which did not reveal any Level-I safety findings at that time. The flight crew involved in the crash was reported to be highly experienced, with the pilot-in-command holding an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with over 15,000 flying hours, having undergone medical examination and proficiency checks in 2025.
The co-pilot possessed a Commercial Pilot Licence with 1,500 flying hours and had completed proficiency checks in July 2025. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the investigation into the Baramati plane crash, with AAIB Director General, G.V.G. Yugandhar, en route to the crash site for personal oversight. Ajit Pawar was en route from Mumbai to Baramati for local body election-related events when the tragic incident occurred. Investigation teams are currently securing the crash site to retrieve flight data recorders.
