Past Directorate General of Civil Aviation Scrutiny Resurfaces Amid Fresh Crash Row

Questions about the aviation company VSR Ventures Private Limited have been raised in connection with the fatal plane crash near the Baramati airstrip. In the accident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives. His younger son, Jay Pawar, has demanded a thorough inquiry into the serious lapses that led to the accident and also demanded a ban on the company.

Jay Pawar explained that the black box of an aircraft is difficult to destroy, and therefore, it is essential to examine its condition and details. Jay Pawar emphasized the need for a transparent and impartial inquiry into the whole case.

In fact, VSR Ventures has faced safety issues in the past. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on September 14, 2023, a Learjet 45 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures crashed at Mumbai Airport. The aircraft, flying from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai, veered sharply to the right during landing on Runway 27 and crash-landed on the runway shoulder near the junction of Taxiways West and North.

The aircraft was carrying two crew members and six passengers. The co-pilot sustained serious injuries, while the pilot-in-command (PIC) and six passengers sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the accident.

Following this accident, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended VSR Ventures' Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization. However, despite the passage of 2.5 years, the final investigation report on the accident has not yet been submitted, and only a preliminary report has been prepared.

Allegations are also being made that neither strict action was taken against VSR Ventures after the Mumbai accident, nor has any strict government action been taken in connection with the Baramati accident. This has sparked debate about the company's safety procedures, regulatory oversight, and adherence to aviation standards.