Deepshikha Verma
New Delhi, Jan 28 (.) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s business jet was cleared to land a minute before it crashed at 8:44 AM on Wednesday, killing all five aboard, the civil aviation ministry said, quoting the ATC official at Baramati airport.
The ministry stated that the Learjet 45 was instructed to descend under visual meteorological conditions, meaning there was enough visibility to navigate while keeping a safe distance from terrain and other aircraft, at the pilot’s discretion.
It was also added by the ministry that the flight crew had also asked about wind conditions and visibility.
The crew was told that winds were calm and visibility was approximately 3,000 metres. “During the final approach to runway 11, the aircraft reported that the runway was not visible. They then executed a go-around on their first approach,” the ministry said in a statement.
After the go-around, the aircraft was asked to report its position, and the crew confirmed they were on the final approach. “They were instructed to report when the runway was in sight. The crew replied, ‘The runway is currently not in sight; we will call when it is.’ A few seconds later, they reported that the runway was visible,” the ministry said.
The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11, but did not provide a readback of the clearance, the ministry said. “Shortly after, at 08:44 IST, ATC observed flames near the threshold of runway 11.” The wreckage came to rest on the left side of the runway. The ministry said Baramati is an “uncontrolled airfield,” with the ATC managed by flying schools.
The ministry said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the investigation and that the AAIB chief was on the way to the accident site to lead the probe.
Delhi-based VSR Ventures Private Limited, which operated the Learjet 45 registered VT-SSK, took down its website following the crash.
An official said VSR Ventures is a non-scheduled operator (NSOP), meaning it is licensed to operate flights on demand. The company is responsible for maintaining its own aircraft, he added.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) records show that the Learjet 45 was manufactured in 2010. Experienced pilots flew it from Mumbai to Baramati, a distance of 250 km. The pilot-in-command and co-pilot had more than 15,000 and 1,500 flight hours, respectively, and all mandatory regulatory requirements were met.
The Learjet 45’s air operator permit was first issued in April 2014 and renewed in April 2023, valid through 2028. VSR Ventures’ fleet consists of 17 aircraft, comprising eight Learjet 45s, five Embraer 135BJs, four King Air B200s, and a single Pilatus .-12.
The DGCA’s most recent regulatory audit of the operator, conducted in February 2025, found no level-I findings, indicating no serious safety violations.
. DSV KK