DGCA Grounds Four VSR Ventures Aircraft After Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Audit

Following the January 28 crash of a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted a special safety audit of the company. The audit found multiple non-compliances in airworthiness, flight safety, and operations, leading the DGCA to ground four Learjet aircraft until standards are restored. VSR Ventures has been asked to submit a root cause analysis. NCP MLA Rohit Pawar criticized both VSR and DGCA, calling for stricter regulatory oversight and broader action beyond grounding select aircraft. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau continues its probe, with a preliminary report expected by February 28.