The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided to suspend the Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization for VSR Ventures following an accident involving a Learjet 45XR in 2023. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the incident occurred on September 14, 2023, at Mumbai Airport, where a Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, was involved in a runway excursion during its landing procedure.

Details of the Accident

On the day of the accident, the aircraft, identified by its registration as VT-DBL, was making a flight from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai. Upon landing on runway 27 at Mumbai Airport, the aircraft began to drift to the right and subsequently crash-landed on the shoulder at the intersection of Taxiways W and N. At the time of the accident, there were two crew members and six passengers aboard. The co-pilot sustained serious injuries, while the Pilot-in-Command and the six passengers experienced minor injuries. The Learjet was completely destroyed as a result of the incident.

Investigation Status

Currently, the investigation team has only completed a preliminary report concerning this accident, with no final report submitted even after a duration of 2.5 years. This delay has raised concerns among stakeholders regarding the thoroughness and transparency of the ongoing investigation.

Calls for Greater Transparency

The recent tragedy has intensified scrutiny, particularly following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who perished in a separate plane crash on January 28 while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district. Jay Pawar, the son of Ajit Pawar, has expressed the need for transparency regarding aviation safety issues. He remarked that the black boxes from aircraft incidents are typically resilient and cannot be easily destroyed. He asserted that the people of Maharashtra deserve a complete, transparent, and undeniable account of the tragic occurrences that have impacted the community.

Demands for Action

Jay Pawar has called for the immediate suspension of VSR Ventures’ flight operations and has urged for a comprehensive, impartial investigation into possible serious irregularities concerning the maintenance of the airline’s aircraft. These demands reflect growing public concern regarding aviation safety standards and regulatory oversight in light of recent incidents.

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