Ajit Pawar (File photo)
MUMBAI: A Learjet 45 XR with deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar on board along with four others crashed near Baramati runway on Wednesday.The aircraft (VT-SSK) belonging to VSR Ventures took off from Mumbai and was carrying out an approach to land at Baramati when it crashed, the sources said. “The aircraft crash landed at 08.48 am near the threshold of Baramati airport’s runway11, said a source from the air traffic control. “The aircraft burst into flames. It is suspected that there are no survivors,” the source added.Among the others on board were two personnel and two crew members, said a Directorate General of Civil Aviation official. Rescue operations are currently on.This is the second accident involving VSR Ventures in Maharashtra in the last two and a half years. In the previous accident though there were no fatalities. The previous accident occured on 14 September 2023 at Mumbai and it involved VSR Ventures owned Lear jet 45XR aircraft VT-DBL. The aircraft was operating a nonscheduled passenger flight from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai and there were six passengers on board. The aircraft took off normally from Visakhapatnam and the flight en route was uneventful. The aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 27 and was given landing clearance. At the time of landing around 5 pm, the Mumbai Airport was experiencing heavy rains and reduced visibility. During landing, the aircraft drifted right of the runway 27 and moved towards Apron C. About 40 seconds after the autopilot was disconnected, Stick Shaker alert sounded in the cockpit accompanied by a Stall warning. Thereafter, EGPWS warnings were generated and the aircraft crash landed at the shoulder of the intersection of Taxiway W and Taxiway N. As a result, the aircraft’s fuselage broke into two pieces and skidded, finally coming to a stop near the intersection of Taxiway U and Taxiway N on an unpaved area (near stand C80). Following the crash, a fire broke out and fire tenders rushed to the site and extinguished the fire. All occupants of the aircraft were evacuated, but they sustained various injuries due to the impact
