India, Jan. 29 -- Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar died on Wednesday when his Learjet aircraft crashed near Baramati. Within hours, aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu offered a preliminary assessment that seemed to suggest there was nothing to indicate the aircraft operator was to blame. "Prima facie no issue" with VSR Aviation, he said. DGCA approvals were "thoroughly checked". The operator handles "many VIPs" safely. The minister also appeared to temper concerns about operations at Baramati's uncontrolled airstrip, saying its "required runway length is proper for landing". These comments, however well-intentioned, risk prejudging a probe that has barely begun. VSR Aviation in September 2023 had an incident at the Mumbai airport. Its Lear...