VSR Aviation's Previous Learjet 45 Crash: Mumbai Airport Incident in 2023
The charter flight operator VSR Aviation, whose aircraft crashed in Baramati on Wednesday carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, had experienced another serious accident involving the same type of aircraft just 28 months earlier at Mumbai airport.
Details of the 2023 Mumbai Crash Landing
According to records from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a 14-year-old Learjet 45 registered as VT-DBL operated by VSR Aviation crash-landed at Mumbai airport on September 14, 2023. The aircraft was flying from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai when it encountered challenging weather conditions during its landing approach.
The preliminary investigation report states: "The aircraft took off normally from Visakhapatnam and the flight en route was uneventful. The aircraft established contact with Mumbai tower and was instructed to prepare for landing. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 27 and was given landing clearance at 113109 UTC (5:01 pm IST). At the time of landing, Mumbai Airport was experiencing heavy rains and reduced visibility."
Sequence of Events During the 2023 Accident
The AAIB report provides crucial details about what transpired during that fateful landing attempt:
- The aircraft continuously drifted to the right as it approached the runway
- Approximately 40 seconds after autopilot disconnection, a stall warning alert sounded in the cockpit
- This was followed by ground proximity warnings
- The aircraft crash-landed at the shoulder of the intersection of two taxiways
The impact was severe: The aircraft's fuselage broke into two pieces and skidded before coming to a stop near the intersection of Taxiway U and Taxiway N on an unpaved area. Following the crash, a fire broke out that required immediate attention from fire tenders.
Survival and Injuries in the 2023 Incident
Remarkably, all six people on board the VT-DBL survived the accident, though they sustained various injuries:
- All occupants were evacuated from the wreckage
- They were immediately admitted to the nearest hospital
- Passengers and the pilot in command were discharged after precautionary treatment
- The co-pilot received serious injuries requiring longer hospitalization
Aircraft Damage Assessment
Investigators who conducted onsite inspections noted significant damage to the aircraft:
- The nose section sustained substantial damage
- The wing had separated from the main structure
- The forward section of the fuselage broke away from the central section
- Both nose landing gear and main landing gear were broken
- The tail and both engines remained attached to the fuselage
Pilot Experience Levels
The preliminary report revealed interesting details about the flight crew's experience:
Pilot in command: Had approximately 6,100 flying hours total, with around 430 hours specifically on the Learjet 45 aircraft type.
Co-pilot: Was relatively inexperienced with total flying experience of 540 hours, of which 340 hours were on the Learjet 45.
VSR Aviation's Operations and Fleet
According to the DGCA database, VSR Aviation maintained a fleet of 18 aircraft, including the one that crashed in Baramati on Wednesday. The operator is based in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area and provides several aviation services:
- Private jet charter and leasing
- Air ambulance services
- Primary operations from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhopal
- Aviation consultancy and spare parts supply
- Aircraft management services
The company's website states that VSR Aviation employs over 60 pilots and has approximately 15 years of experience in the aviation industry. The operator also maintains liaison with various government agencies including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, and the Airports Authority of India.
Corporate Structure
Registrar of Companies records indicate that VSR Aviation has two associated companies: VSR Ventures and VSR Aero Engineering. Vijay Kumar Singh and Rohit Singh are listed as directors, with sources indicating that Rohit Singh is Vijay Kumar Singh's son. Both individuals are reportedly pilots by training.
Contrast with the 2026 Baramati Tragedy
While all occupants survived the 2023 Mumbai incident, Wednesday's crash in Baramati proved fatal for all five people on board, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer, an attendant, and two pilots. The aircraft involved in the Baramati crash was another Learjet 45 registered as VT-SSK, which took off around 8:10 am and disappeared from radar approximately 35 minutes later.
It is important to note that the final investigation report for the 2023 Mumbai crash is not available on the AAIB website, and the preliminary report, as is standard practice, does not delve deeply into causative factors but rather provides details of what occurred during the accident sequence.
