DGCA Grounds 4 VSR Aircraft After Baramati Crash Audit
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has grounded four aircraft operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd after a special safety audit linked to the fatal Learjet 45 crash in Baramati on January 28. The accident claimed five lives, including senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Officials said the regulator took action after uncovering multiple safety and compliance violations during the audit. Consequently, DGCA ordered the immediate grounding of the affected aircraft until safety standards are restored.
Audit Reveals Safety and Maintenance Lapses
The DGCA ordered the audit on February 2. The team began inspections on February 4 and completed them on February 16. A multi-disciplinary panel led by senior aviation officials examined airworthiness, flight operations, and safety compliance. According to officials, investigators found several non-compliances in approved procedures. These included gaps in maintenance practices and operational oversight. Therefore, the regulator decided to ground four Learjet 40/45 aircraft registered as VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI. The crash aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, had attempted a second landing at the uncontrolled Baramati airport before it went down.
DGCA Seeks Root Cause Analysis
In addition to grounding the planes, DGCA has issued deficiency reporting forms to VSR Ventures. The regulator has directed the operator to submit a detailed root cause analysis of the identified lapses. Officials said the assessment will help determine further regulatory action. Meanwhile, the aviation watchdog has intensified scrutiny of non-scheduled charter operators across India. It has already launched phase-wise audits focusing on maintenance standards and procedural compliance. The move signals tighter oversight following recent aviation incidents.
Political Reaction and Wider Impact
Reacting to the development, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar welcomed the DGCA’s decision. He alleged that VSR had been operating aircraft in an unsafe and arbitrary manner. Furthermore, he described the regulator’s action as only the “tip of the iceberg.” The grounding of four aircraft marks the second serious incident involving VSR Aviation and the Learjet 45 model in three years. As investigations continue, the aviation sector now faces renewed attention on charter safety standards and regulatory enforcement.
