Ajit Pawar dies: Parallels with 2023 crash of same aircraft type, same operator

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 28, 2026 12:23 IST

The tragic crash of a chartered Bombardier Learjet 45XR (registration VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited (also referred to as VSR Aviation in some reports), claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and all others on board on Wednesday (January 28).

This incident has drawn comparisons to a serious accident in September 2023 involving the same operator and aircraft type – a Learjet 45 (registration VT-DBL) – at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Based on preliminary reports, VT-SSK departed from Mumbai in the early morning hours carrying Pawar, his personal security officer (PSO), an attendant, and crew members.

The flight was a short domestic charter to Baramati, Ajit Pawar's hometown, where he was scheduled to address public meetings ahead of Zilla Parishad elections. The flight proceeded normally until the approach phase.

Around 8:45-8:48 AM IST, during the final approach and landing attempt at Baramati airport, the aircraft encountered severe technical difficulties and instability.

The pilot reportedly lost control while attempting to land. The plane crash-landed at or near the runway.

Upon impact, the aircraft broke apart, exploded, and caught fire. Rescue operations began immediately, but DGCA confirmed no survivors. All on board perished due to the violent impact and the resultant fire.

A TRAGIC COINCIDENCE

On September 14, 2023, VT-DBL aircraft was on a domestic charter from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai with 6 passengers and 2 crew.

According to the report, the approach and landing clearance were issued for Runway 27. The crew reported the runway in sight and continued the landing.

"The aircraft continuously drifted right of the Runway 27 and moved towards Apron C. About 40 seconds after the autopilot was disconnected, Stick Shaker alert sounded in the cockpit accompanied by a Stall warning. The aircraft crash landed at the shoulder of the intersection of Taxiway W and Taxiway N. As a result, the aircraft's fuselage broke into two pieces and skidded Following the crash, a fire broke out and fire tenders rushed to the site and extinguished the fire."

All eight occupants survived, but the pilots were seriously injured.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report cited adverse weather as a primary factor, likely causing hydroplaning (when a layer of water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the surface) on the contaminated runway, which led to loss of directional control.

The 2023 incident highlighted the risks of landing in heavy rain on contaminated runways, especially for business jets with high approach speeds and limited margins for error in low-visibility conditions.

KEY DIFFERENCE

While both incidents involved landing-phase loss of control on Learjet 45-series aircraft from the same charter operator, a key difference exists.

The 2023 crash was heavily influenced by heavy rain and wet conditions. In contrast, on January 28, the weather in Baramati was dry, with no reported heavy rain or low visibility.

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