Safety Review of Non-Scheduled Aircraft Operators Following Baramati Crash

On January 28, 2026, a Learjet 45 aircraft crashed near Baramati Airport. The aircraft was operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. All five people on board, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, died in the crash. This incident has led aviation safety authorities to carefully examine the safety standards of non-scheduled aircraft operators, which include charter companies and corporate operators. Following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or DGCA, started a special safety audit of these operators. The audit began on February 4, 2026, and is scheduled to continue until February 25, 2026. Its purpose is to review how these operators maintain their aircraft and ensure safety practices are followed. The first part of this safety check involves 14 different operators. These include companies that offer charter flights and other non-regular passenger services. A team of six experts is specifically conducting an in-depth review of VSR Ventures. This team is expected to complete its report by February 15, 2026. The DGCA has directed all audit teams to submit their final reports within ten days after finishing their inspections. This process allows authorities to quickly identify any safety issues that need correction. It is important to note that the DGCA last checked VSR Ventures' safety in February 2025. During that review, no serious safety violations were found. This indicates that the company was operating within acceptable safety standards at that time. The investigation into the crash is also ongoing. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, or AAIB, is responsible for this. Officials have recovered the black box – a device that records details of the flight – and are analyzing its data to determine what caused the crash. As of February 11, 2026, there has been no official statement confirming the exact reason for the incident. The investigation continues, and authorities are collecting information to understand the cause better. This safety review is significant because it helps maintain high safety standards in aviation. It ensures that any potential risks related to aircraft operation are identified and addressed. Regular inspections and audits help prevent accidents and protect passengers and crew. The ongoing investigation and safety audits show that authorities are taking the crash seriously. They are working to improve safety measures and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again in the future. In conclusion, the crash near Baramati Airport has prompted a thorough review of non-scheduled aircraft operators. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, safety authorities are actively inspecting operators and analyzing safety practices. This process aims to protect everyone involved in air travel and to uphold the highest safety standards in the aviation industry.