Kamal Ghorui
PUNE: After aborting an initial landing, a Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar made a second attempt to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning but crash-landed near the runway threshold and immediately burst into flames, according to a post on X.However there was no confirmation from the air traffic control about the second attempt of landing. The aircraft was also not tracked by live flight tracking websites.The aircraft (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR, had Ajit Pawar on board along with two other personnel — a personal security officer and an attendant — and two crew members.The plane, which had taken off from Mumbai, crashed near the Baramati runway at around 8.48am while attempting to land, a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said.Clear visibility, experienced pilot—yet it crashed:Officials noted that visibility at the time of the accident was around 3,500 metres, indicating clear conditions with no fog-related issues.The pilot-in-command, Sumit Kapur, had over 16,500 hours of flying experience, officials said, adding that the circumstances leading to the crash were being examined.Besides Pawar, four others—including two crew members and two personnel—were on board.VSR Ventures had earlier faced a similar incident on September 14, 2023, when another Learjet 45 XR owned by the company, registered as VT-DBL, crash-landed at Mumbai airport.The Aircraft
- The aircraft involved in the crash was a Learjet 45XR, owned by VSR Ventures Private Limited, one of India’s major non-scheduled aircraft operators.
- The Learjet 45 is a mid-size business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace between 1998 and 2009.
- It has a range of about 2,000–2,235 nautical miles and can seat up to eight passengers.
- The jet is capable of high-speed cruising at Mach 0.78 to 0.81.
- Powered by two Honeywell TFE731 engines, the aircraft can operate at altitudes of up to 51,000 feet.
- Designed for short- to medium-haul flights, it is known for its speed, efficiency and cabin comfort.
- The aircraft has a wingspan of 47 feet and a maximum weight of approximately 9,752 kg.
The Operator
- VSR Ventures Private Limited was founded and is owned by VK Singh.
- The company manages and operates private aircraft under non-scheduled operations permits.
- Its services include private jet charters, helicopter rentals, air ambulance services, and aircraft leasing.
- The firm’s fleet includes aircraft such as the Learjet 45XR, Beechcraft Super King Air B200, and Agusta 109 helicopters.
- Headquartered in Mahipalpur, New Delhi, VSR Ventures also offers aviation consultancy and aircraft management services.
