News Delhi: Weeks after Maharashtra deputy chief minister died in a plane crash, aviation watchdog DGCA has ordered a special safety audit of 15 non-scheduled
flight operators, including VSR Ventures.
Pawar and four others were killed after the Learjet 45 plane carrying them crashed near Baramati airport on January 28. The chartered helicopter belonged to VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. The crash is being probed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Consequent to accident of M/s VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd Learjet 45 aircraft VT-SSK on 28 Jan 2026 at Baramati, DGCA orders special safety audit of non-scheduled operators in a phased manner covering larger operators first, commenced from 4 Feb 2026; including M/s VSR Ventures. pic.twitter.com/cL4e1K7QiU
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) February 10, 2026
DGCA orders special safety audit of charter planes
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said that, consequent to the accident of VSR Ventures’ Learjet 45 aircraft VT-SSK on January 28, it has ordered a special safety audit of non-scheduled operators in a phased manner.
In a post on X, the aviation regulator said that the audit commenced on February 4. “The special safety audit of VSR Ventures and 14 other non-scheduled operators was ordered on February 2. The special safety audit will continue until February 25 for 14 non-scheduled operators,” the post read.
DGCA’s post on X camehours after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that there was reason to suspect sabotage in the fatal plane crash that killed his uncle Ajit Pawar last month, and called for a comprehensive probe by multiple expert agencies.
On January 28, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had said AAIB would take an in-depth look into the plane crash near Baramati airstrip, and ruled out safety concerns regarding the aircraft’s operator.
