AAIB nears completion of probe into 2023 VSR ventures learjet crash

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Monday said it is in the final stages of its investigation into the September 2023 accident involving a Learjet 45 aircraft owned by VSR Ventures at Mumbai airport.

The update comes amid renewed scrutiny following a fatal Learjet 45 crash near Baramati on January 28 this year, in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives. Both aircraft involved in the incidents were of the same model and operated by VSR Ventures.

In a statement, the AAIB said its investigation team has analysed all evidence and documents related to the September 2023 accident and is working on a top-priority basis to finalise the report. Questions had been raised over the delay in publishing the final findings of the earlier crash after the Baramati tragedy.

The September 14, 2023 incident involved Learjet 45 aircraft VT-DBL, which was operating a non-scheduled flight from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai. While landing on Runway 27 at Mumbai airport, the aircraft drifted to the right and crash-landed at the shoulder near the intersection of Taxiways W and N.

There were eight people on board, including two crew members. The co-pilot suffered serious injuries, while the pilot-in-command and six passengers sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the accident. The AAIB noted that the co-pilot could not be interviewed for a prolonged period due to the severity of injuries, contributing to delays in the investigation. A preliminary report, including initial flight recorder data, had earlier been published on the bureau’s website.

Meanwhile, the AAIB is also investigating the January 28 Learjet 45 crash near the Baramati airstrip. The civil aviation ministry has said that the probe is progressing swiftly and that the aircraft’s black box has been recovered.

No accidents involving Airbus aircraft operated by VSR Ventures have been reported so far, with the company’s known incidents limited to Learjet 45 aircraft.