Black box secured, AAIB probe underway as Centre responds to Fadnavis on Ajit Pawar Learjet crash

The Union government on Thursday confirmed that the black box of the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft involved in the deadly Baramati crash has been recovered and secured, as it formally responded to a letter from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking details of the incident that claimed the life of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

In its reply, the civil aviation ministry said that a detailed technical investigation is now underway, with all operational records, aircraft systems data, and evidence from the crash site being examined to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. The ministry assured the Maharashtra government that the probe would be conducted in a “thorough, transparent and time-bound manner.”

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India’s apex body for probing civil aviation accidents, has launched a formal investigation into the crash. Officials said the findings of the inquiry, along with recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, will be shared with the state government once the investigation reaches a conclusive stage. The ministry also acknowledged Fadnavis’s request for systemic safety measures to avoid recurrence of such accidents.

Ajit Pawar, his security officer Vidip Jadhav, pilot-in-command Captain Sumit Kapur, first officer Captain Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali were killed when the Learjet 45 crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport on Wednesday morning. Funeral rites for the Maharashtra deputy chief minister were conducted on Thursday amid an outpouring of grief across the state.

According to preliminary details released by the civil aviation ministry, the aircraft attempted to land twice at Baramati, which is classified as an “uncontrolled” airport. Such airports do not have full-fledged air traffic control operations. Instead, ATC duties are handled by pilot cadets from local flying schools on alternate days, as per earlier reports.

In recorded communication between the flight crew and air traffic control, the pilots initially reported that the runway was not in sight. Moments later, they confirmed visual contact with the runway and were granted clearance to land at 8:43 am. However, within a minute of the clearance, ATC personnel reportedly saw the aircraft engulfed in flames.

A key focus of the investigation will be data retrieved from the black box, formally known as the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Aviation experts say the device is crucial for understanding parameters such as aircraft speed, altitude, engine performance, pilot inputs, and cockpit conversations in the final moments before a crash.

The civil aviation ministry reiterated that the AAIB’s findings will be made available after due analysis, underscoring that aviation safety remains a top priority. As the probe continues, authorities are also expected to review operational protocols at smaller and uncontrolled airports like Baramati, particularly during adverse visibility or challenging landing conditions.