Safety first: DGCA’s hammer falls on VSR Ventures, grounding four planes after the shocking Learjet disaster in Baramati that snatched Maharashtra’s Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Tuesday’s statement details audit findings of rampant rule-breaking in maintenance and flights.
Triggered by the January 28 crash of VT-SSK, experts uncovered non-adherence in key areas like airworthiness and crew ops. The Learjet 40/45 quartet—VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, VT-TRI—now sits idle, awaiting fixes and re-certification.
VSR must submit non-compliance analyses via formal reports. Amid scrutiny, Minister Mohol promised early insights into the crash by late February, with AAIB leading evidence-based inquiries including recorder data.
Politics heated up as Rohit Pawar blasted the operator for safety shortcuts and irregularities, holding forth in conferences and hinting at deeper issues.
Recorders yielded clues: DFDR intact and read, CVR scorched but recoverable with Honeywell’s help under global rules. DGCA’s proactive 2025 audits flagged and resolved VSR issues before, yet this special sweep post-horror revealed persistent gaps.
Ministry directives now probe every angle—from compliance to safety management—ensuring no stone unturned. This precedent-setting grounding vows unyielding vigilance for safer Indian aviation.