Baramati: Investigators in the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra deputy chief Minister Ajit Pawar have recovered the aircraft’s black box from the wreckage and handed it over to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for detailed analysis, officials said on Thursday.
The Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures and registered VT-SSK, crashed near Baramati Airport on January 28 while attempting to land, killing Pawar and four others on board. The recovery of the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder (the “black box”) marks a crucial development in the effort to determine the sequence of events that led to the fatal accident.
Reports said DGCA teams, supported by forensic experts, located the black box amidst debris at the crash site on Wednesday. The device, designed to withstand severe impact and fire, will now be decoded at a DGCA-approved facility to extract flight data and cockpit communications.
The recordings are expected to shed light on the final moments of the flight, including pilot responses, aircraft systems behaviour, and any last communications, officials said. Preliminary audio reportedly includes the pilots’ final words, and experts hope the data will clarify whether weather conditions, visibility issues or technical factors contributed to the crash.
An official statement, issued in this regard, said: “Following the unfortunate aircraft accident near Baramati, all requisite response and investigative mechanisms were activated immediately. Ensuring a thorough, transparent, and time-bound inquiry remains a top priority. A team of three officers from AAIB, Delhi, and another team of three officers from the DGCA, Mumbai Regional Office, reached the crash site on 28 January. The Director General, AAIB, also arrived at the site the same day. The investigation is progressing expeditiously, and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) remains fully committed to completing the investigation within a defined timeframe, strictly in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laid-down guidelines. The investigation has been initiated in accordance with Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025.”
The probe, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with DGCA oversight, is also reviewing radar data, air traffic control logs, weather conditions at the time, and maintenance records for the aircraft. A formal interim report is anticipated in the coming weeks.
