The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action against VSR Ventures following the tragic plane crash involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. On February 24, 2026, the aviation regulator ordered an immediate halt on the operations of four Learjet aircraft belonging to the company. This decision comes after a special safety audit revealed serious lapses in safety standards and flight operations.
Which aircraft have been grounded and why?
The DGCA has specifically stopped the flights of four Learjet 40/45 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures. The registration numbers for these grounded planes are VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI. During the investigation, officials found that the operator failed to meet necessary airworthiness requirements. Under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, the regulator has the power to stop operations if safety norms are ignored. The audit highlighted critical gaps in how these flights were being managed, leading to this immediate suspension.
What are the latest findings in the investigation?
The probe into the Baramati crash that occurred on January 28, 2026, has revealed several concerning facts. The accident claimed five lives, including Ajit Pawar, pilot Sumit Kapoor, and co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak. New developments suggest that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had already suspended VSR Ventures’ license earlier because the company did not respond to queries regarding a previous incident in Mumbai in 2023.
Technical teams are facing challenges with the evidence:
- Black Box Data: The data from the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) has been successfully downloaded.
- Voice Recorder Issues: The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was damaged due to intense heat. Assistance has been sought from Honeywell in the US to recover the audio.
- Conspiracy Angle: Rohit Pawar has alleged sabotage in the incident, prompting agencies to look into potential criminal angles.
- Report Date: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to submit its preliminary report by February 28, 2026.
