No fatalities

Aircraft Veers Off Runway at Mumbai Airport After Hard Landing in Heavy Rain (VT-DBL)

Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji (Santa Cruz), IndiaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 14, 2023, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-DBL) operated by VSR Group was involved in an aviation accident near Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji (Santa Cruz), India during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India (AAIB India)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During approach in poor visibility due to heavy rain, an aircraft impacted the runway with a nose-down, right-rolling attitude, then veered off and broke in two. All eight occupants sustained injuries.

Incident Overview

On approach to Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport, deteriorating weather conditions with heavy rainfall and reduced visibility affected the landing. As the aircraft descended on short final, it adopted a nose-down attitude and began rolling to the right before impacting the runway surface.

Sequence of Events

Upon impact, the aircraft went out of control, veered off the runway, and came to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The fuselage broke in two during the excursion. A small fire broke out but was quickly extinguished by airport emergency services.

Occupant Status

All eight individuals on board—including crew and passengers—sustained injuries. The extent of injuries was not specified in the initial report.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, weather conditions were characterized by poor visibility and heavy rain, which are noted as contributing environmental factors in the approach phase.

Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage, breaking into two sections, though further details on specific structural damage were not provided.

Investigation

The accident investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on the aircraft's behavior during the final approach and the meteorological conditions present.

All Learjet 45 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Sept 2023 Learjet 45 accident near Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji (Santa Cruz), India?

During approach in poor visibility due to heavy rain, an aircraft impacted the runway with a nose-down, right-rolling attitude, then veered off and broke in two. All eight occupants sustained injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Sept 2023 Learjet 45 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Sept 2023 involved a Learjet 45, registration VT-DBL, operated by VSR Group, at Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji (Santa Cruz), India.