Black Boxes Recovered in Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Probe
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed that the equipment had been recovered from the crash location
New Delhi: The Union Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday said that the Black Box of the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed in Baramati on Wednesday, has been recovered and a time-bound, transparent enquiry is being conducted. While the details of the Black Box that contains Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder are yet to be made public, the last words of the single cabin crew was reported to be 'oh shit'.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were among the five persons who died in the crash. Apart from Pawar, his personal security officer and attendant, as well as two cockpit crew -- pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak -- were killed in the crash. The plane, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, crashed during its second attempt to land at Baramati table-top air strip.
“Following the unfortunate aircraft accident near Baramati, all requisite response and investigative mechanisms were activated immediately by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Ensuring a thorough, transparent, and time-bound inquiry remains a top priority,” the ministry said in a statement.
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 Wednesday, shortly after the crash. The Director General, AAIB, G.V. G. Yugandhar was also among them.
“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 ministry added.
The ministry said Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield and traffic information is provided by the instructors/Pilot from the Flying training Organisations at Baramati. As per the statement of the person manning the ATC the plane crashed while attempting landing a second time.
