A formal investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the 2023 Learjet 45XR crash at Mumbai airport has identified a combination of human error and significant organizational lapses at the operator, VSR Ventures. The incident occurred on September 14, 2023, when the aircraft, arriving on a non-scheduled flight from Visakhapatnam, crashed while attempting to land on runway 27. All eight individuals on board sustained serious injuries during the event.
According to the AAIB report, the primary cause of the accident was the flight crew’s decision to persist with an unstable approach despite adverse weather conditions. Investigators noted that rainfall significantly impaired the crew’s visual cues, while the aircraft was simultaneously buffeted by a high tailwind. The report further highlighted that the crew displayed an “undue commitment” to completing the landing before operational restrictions at the airport were scheduled to take effect, clouding their decision-making process at a critical juncture.
Technical analysis confirmed that the aircraft’s airframe and engines were functioning correctly at the time of the incident, effectively ruling out mechanical failure as a contributing factor. However, the crew failed to maintain adequate oversight of the aircraft's airspeed. As a low-speed warning cue emerged, the pilot monitoring was found to be delayed in calling for a go-around, which might have averted the crash.
Beyond the immediate causes of the accident, the AAIB findings cast a harsh light on the internal management at VSR Ventures. The investigation uncovered systemic shortcomings in pilot training, technical record-keeping, and general internal oversight. Specifically, the bureau determined that mandatory recurrent training for Learjet pilots was incomplete. Critical skill checks, particularly those covering essential emergency procedures, had not been carried out in their entirety within the required one-year training cycle, including necessary simulator-based exercises.
Furthermore, the investigation discovered that the company’s technical and airframe logbooks were not properly maintained, raising concerns about the rigor of its documentation processes. The report concluded that internal audits at VSR Ventures had not been conducted with the necessary diligence required for aviation safety. These findings have drawn heightened attention because VSR Ventures was also the operator of a Learjet that was involved in a fatal crash in Baramati earlier this year, an accident that resulted in the deaths of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.
The conclusions drawn by the AAIB underscore the vital importance of strictly adhering to established safety protocols during the landing phase, particularly when weather conditions are deteriorating. By continuing an unstable approach, the crew placed the safety of all occupants at risk. The operational lapses identified in the training and maintenance sectors of the operator suggest a need for more robust regulatory oversight to ensure that non-scheduled flight operators maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and professional competence.
As the aviation community reviews these findings, the report serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when operational pressure and training deficiencies align during complex flight operations. While the Mumbai incident did not result in fatalities, the recurring nature of safety concerns at the same operator has intensified the focus on how such private aviation entities are audited and managed in the future. The documentation and training failures identified by the AAIB are now expected to form the basis for further regulatory reviews into the company's operational practices.
Comments