REGULATORY · MARKET STRUCTURE · INDIA
India aviation regulator grounds VSR Ventures Learjet fleet after post-crash audit
Change
India’s DGCA ordered the immediate grounding of four VSR Ventures Learjet 40/45 aircraft (VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, VT-TRI) after a special safety audit found multiple non-compliances in airworthiness, air safety and flight operations, pending restoration of continued airworthiness standards.
Why it matters
DGCA’s post-incident special safety audit identified gaps and non-compliance with approved procedures across maintenance/airworthiness, air safety and flight operations at VSR Ventures. As a binding enforcement step, DGCA grounded four Learjet 40/45 aircraft with immediate effect until continued airworthiness standards are restored. DGCA issued deficiency reporting forms and required the operator to submit root-cause analysis for the cited non-compliances, with DGCA assessment determining the next course of action. The action follows a January 28 Learjet 45 crash near Baramati involving a VSR Ventures aircraft; the excerpt notes AAIB’s preliminary report is expected before February 28.
Implications
- • Immediate loss of availability for four Learjet 40/45 aircraft in VSR Ventures fleet
- • Operations resume only after DGCA accepts restoration of continued airworthiness standards
- • Root-cause analysis submissions become a regulatory gate for next DGCA action
- • Increased compliance and audit scrutiny on the operator’s maintenance and ops controls
Who is affected
- • VSR Ventures (aircraft owner/operator)
- • Passengers/clients relying on VSR Ventures Learjet 40/45 services
- • DGCA oversight and enforcement teams
- • Maintenance and flight-operations staff/contractors supporting the grounded aircraft
Source
Topics
Law & Public Safety Regulatory Actions Compliance Business & Markets Aerospace & Defense