Learjet 45XR Crash Kills Indian Deputy CM; Did Baramati Airport's Lack of ILS Play a Role?

The aviation industry is focused on India following a tragic air crash on January 28, 2026, that killed five people, including a prominent politician. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was among those who died when a Learjet 45XR chartered aircraft went down. The accident occurred near Baramati airport in the Pune district while the jet was attempting to land.

All five people on board the flight were killed. This included two crew members and two of Pawar's staff, in addition to the Deputy Chief Minister. The aircraft was operating a flight from Mumbai and belonged to Delhi-based charter company VSR Ventures, a non-scheduled operator. The crash has raised serious questions about aviation safety standards, especially at smaller airfields.

Investigation Underway

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), confirmed the fatalities. The investigation is being handled by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Authorities have already secured the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder (the black box). Analysis of this crucial data will be essential to determine the definitive cause of the accident.

The Learjet 45XR is a light business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. It is technically capable of operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This means the aircraft can safely fly using instruments even when visibility is poor. Bombardier has stated it is supporting the ongoing investigation.

Focus on Airport Infrastructure and Visibility

Early speculation from aviation experts points to low visibility as a possible contributing factor. The crew was reportedly informed that visibility was 3,000 meters. Experts suggest that for a visual approach, or Visual Flight Rules (VFR), visibility should ideally be more than 5,000 meters.

Challenges at Baramati Airstrip

The Baramati airstrip itself has become a major point of discussion. The airport reportedly lacks key navigational aids. Specifically, it does not have an Instrument Landing System (ILS), runway lights, or a beacon. This forces pilots to rely on a visual approach to spot and align with the runway.

Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu noted that the airstrip mainly serves flying training organizations. It operates under a Non-Scheduled Operator's Permit, not for full commercial flights. The lack of ILS and other systems at such an airfield presents a significant operational risk during adverse weather.

• The aircraft crashed approximately 200 meters short of the runway.
• The DGCA indicated poor visibility could have caused the crash.
• CCTV footage reportedly shows the jet banking steeply at a low altitude before impact.

Impact on Chartered Flight Operations

The accident highlights the varying safety standards and infrastructure across India's smaller airports. Non-scheduled operators, which include charter companies like VSR Ventures, often use these airfields. The incident is expected to spur a review of the minimum required navigational and safety equipment at airstrips used by chartered and business aviation.

Stakeholders across the industry, from the DGCA to manufacturers like Bombardier, are awaiting the AAIB’s final report. The findings will be critical for implementing new safety protocols. They may also lead to mandates for upgrading infrastructure at non-scheduled airfields. The aim is to mitigate risks associated with visual approaches in poor weather.

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