Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar passed away in a plane crash in Baramati on Wednesday morning. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader died after the plane, which was headed to Baramati, had to make an emergency landing. The subsequent crash that took place left no survivors, with Ajit Pawar being one of the casualties, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed.
In the wake of his demise, the plane that Ajit Pawar was taking to Baramati has come into focus. DGCA sources have confirmed it was a Learjet 45 flight, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd., an entity operating from New Delhi but has operations in Mumbai, Bhopal and Hyderabad as well.
Interestingly, this was the second major hull-loss incident involving a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures in less than three years, following the crash of VT-DBL in Mumbai in September 2023.
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VSR Ventures – The Operator
The official website of VSR Aviation suggests the firm offers aircraft charters to business professionals, with a portfolio of over 60 pilots and a track record of 15 years.
The company has listed Havells India, Welspun and APL Apollo as key customers, although the website does not offer more details on any of these clients.
Some of the main services offered by VSR Aviation include private jet charter, private jet leasing, air ambulance and empty leg flights. VSR Aviation is owned by Vijay Kumar Singh.
Bombardier Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) – The Aircraft
The aircraft, VT-SSK, was a Bombardier Learjet 45XR. It is a significant player in the midsize business jet market.
Indeed, the Learjet 45XR is an upgraded version of the Model 45, featuring higher takeoff weights, faster cruise speeds, and faster time-to-climb rates. It is a high-performance machine that demands respect and precise handling from its crew.
The aircraft has a capacity of nine people.
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