The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the ill-fated Learjet that crashed in Baramati, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, have been recovered. Aviation authorities say analysis of the black box will be crucial in establishing the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The black box — including both the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) — from the aircraft that tragically crashed in Baramati on January 28, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, has been recovered from the wreckage, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The devices have been sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for detailed analysis, a key step in determining the cause of the accident.
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The chartered Bombardier Learjet 45, carrying Pawar, his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two crew members, went down while attempting to land at Baramati airport, about 100 km from Pune, in conditions of poor visibility. All five on board perished in the crash, which occurred in the morning hours.
Aircraft investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the DGCA have been conducting on-site examinations since the day of the crash. The Civil Aviation Ministry stated that the probe is being carried out as per established procedures and remains transparent and time-bound under the AAIB Rules, 2025.
The Accidental Death Report (ADR) filed by Pune Rural Police has now been handed over to the Maharashtra CID, which will support the ongoing technical inquiry once findings from the black box analysis are available.
Meanwhile, the region continues to mourn Pawar’s sudden passing. His last rites were conducted in Baramati with full state honours, and tributes from across the political spectrum have underscored his decades-long influence in Maharashtra politics.
Officials hope that insights from the black box will shed light on critical details of the flight’s final moments — including cockpit communications, aircraft systems data, and the sequence of events leading up to the crash — enabling authorities to issue safety recommendations and clarify the cause.
Published: 29 Jan 2026, 12:15 pm IST
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