The DGCA audit, expected to be completed by February 15, will examine the operator’s compliance systems, aircraft maintenance records, and logbook filings to determine whether mandatory safety protocols were followed.
Mumbai: The investigation into the fatal aircraft crash involving former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has intensified, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordering a special audit of VSR Ventures, the private aviation company that operated the flight.
The DGCA audit, expected to be completed by February 15, will examine the operator’s compliance systems, aircraft maintenance records, and logbook filings to determine whether mandatory safety protocols were followed. Officials said the audit will assess whether VSR Ventures maintained proper oversight of aircraft airworthiness and regulatory documentation.
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Parallel to the DGCA review, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a technical probe into the circumstances that led to the crash, including flight operations, weather conditions, crew actions, and aircraft performance.
Spotlight on VSR Ventures’ past safety issues in Europe
The crash has also renewed focus on VSR Ventures’ past regulatory issues in Europe. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had earlier denied the company permission to operate in European airspace after suspending and subsequently revoking its Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
According to DGCA, EASA suspended VSR Ventures’ TCO certification after the operator failed to respond to safety-related queries concerning a previous accident involving one of its Learjet aircraft in September 2023. TCO authorisation is mandatory for non-EU airlines operating commercial flights within the European Union and certain European territories.
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The incident occurred on September 14, 2023, when a Learjet 45XR was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai, with six passengers on board. The flight was commanded by a pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), with a co-pilot holding a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
According to a report by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the flight was uneventful until its approach into Mumbai. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 27 at 113109 UTC. At the time, Mumbai airport was experiencing severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and low visibility. Winds reported to the crew were “140 degrees at 7 knots.”
Due to heavy rainfall and reduced visibility, the aircraft crashed while landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
VSR Ventures had received its TCO approval in 2020. However, following the September 2023 incident, EASA sought accident-related documentation from the operator in 2024. When no response was received, EASA suspended the authorisation on December 17, 2024, and later revoked it entirely.
The latest crash involving Ajit Pawar has brought renewed scrutiny to VSR Ventures’ safety oversight, maintenance practices, and regulatory compliance, both domestically and internationally. Authorities are expected to closely examine whether systemic lapses operational, technical, or regulatory, contributed to the accident.
Published: 03 Feb 2026, 08:53 pm IST
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