'Working On Final Report': Aviation Minister On Delay In 2023 Learjet 45 Crash Probe

Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday addressed questions over the prolonged delay in releasing the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)’s final report into a September 2023 aircraft accident, saying authorities were still working on the findings and would disclose them after consultations.

When asked why the AAIB’s final report on the Learjet 45 registered as VT-DBL crash had not been published even after two-and-a-half years, the minister said, “We are working on the final report and are in contact with the concerned authorities. After discussions, we will share the information in due course.”

The remarks come as aviation safety has come under renewed focus following the fatal Learjet crash in Maharashtra’s Baramati that killed

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on January 28.

2023 CRASH STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION

The Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed in Baramati had previously been linked to a landing accident at Mumbai airport in September 2023, which the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed.

That earlier episode involved a separate Learjet 45 registered as VT-DBL and remains under AAIB investigation.

Reports said six passengers were onboard the aircraft at the time and all escaped safely, even though the landing took place amid rain and low visibility.

Both aircraft were operated by Delhi-based non-scheduled carrier VSR Ventures Private Limited, which runs a fleet of 17 aircraft comprising seven Learjet 45 jets, five Embraer 135BJ aircraft, four King Air B200s and one Pilatus PC-12.

AJIT PAWAR CRASH PROBE UNDERWAY

Soon after Ajit Pawar’s plane crashed in Baramati on Wednesday, a team from the AAIB reached the crash site to begin a forensic probe into the accident involving the 16-year-old mid-size business jet bearing registration VT-SSK.

“The investigation team has reached the (crash) site. They are on the work,” an AAIB official told news agency PTI, while declining to provide further details.

Five people, Pawar, his personal security officer and attendant, along with two cockpit crew members, pilot in command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak, were killed when the aircraft attempted to land for a second time after carrying out a go-around.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the crew had been advised to descend in visual meteorological conditions at the pilot’s discretion.

Winds were calm, and visibility was around 3,000 metres at the time, it added, while noting that Baramati airfield does not have an instrumental landing system, a precision radio navigation aid used during poor visibility.

Apart from Pawar, the deceased were identified as Vidip Jadhav and Pinky Mali, along with the two pilots.

Maharashtra Police said the wreckage’s location and condition would be examined and photographed to determine the speed and angle of impact.

Officials added that the aircraft’s black box would be analysed to assess its technical condition during the flight and whether it was airworthy.