DGCA grounds four aircraft of VSR Ventures, a month after Ajit Pawar’s death in crash

Nearly a period aft the decease of past Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a level crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded 4 craft operated by the aforesaid charter institution that was flying him.

The regulator besides announced a slew of measures for charter companies crossed the country, pursuing “a caller surge” successful incidents to guarantee tighter oversight, aft a high-level gathering connected Tuesday with respective charter operators.

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“The multi-disciplinary audit squad observed respective non-compliances of approved procedures successful the organisation successful the country of airworthiness, aerial information and formation operations,” said a property connection issued by the DGCA astir VSR Ventures Pvt Limited. As a result, 4 craft were being “immediately grounded” till the institution meets the prescribed airworthiness standards. All craft grounded are either Learjet 40 oregon Learjet 45.

VSR Ventures has 17 craft registered nether its name, according to the DGCA’s website.

Ajit Pawar and 4 others onboard a Learjet 45 died erstwhile it crashed successful Baramati connected January 28. Subsequently, the DGCA undertook a peculiar audit of VSR, arsenic good arsenic a broader industry-wide audits. A preliminary probe study is expected wrong 30 days of the accident.

Also Read | Bombardier Learjet 45: The craft that crashed with Ajit Pawar connected board

Shortcomings successful training

In a property statement, the DGCA said mishap information from the past decennary indicated that astir incidents stemmed from non-adherence to modular operating procedures (SOPs), inadequate formation planning, and deficiencies successful training.

In response, the regulator announced a bid of corrective measures. These see the instauration of a information ranking strategy for each charter operators — soon to beryllium published connected the DGCA website — enhanced random audits, and person surveillance of ageing craft arsenic good arsenic those undergoing ownership changes. The DGCA has besides directed charter companies to disclose details specified arsenic the property of their aircraft, attraction records, and pilots’ acquisition connected their websites, enabling customers to marque much informed booking decisions.