The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a thorough investigation into the Learjet 45 aircraft crash that occurred in Baramati on January 28. This investigation is being carried out in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and international standards specified under ICAO Annex 13. The tragic accident resulted in the loss of six lives, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as the aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously confirmed that all six individuals on board the aircraft perished in the crash. The AAIB has reported that the aircraft was equipped with two independent flight recorders, both of which were exposed to high temperatures and sustained significant fire damage during the accident. Despite this damage, the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) from L3-Communications has been successfully retrieved and analyzed at the AAIB’s Flight Recorder Laboratory.
Currently, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from Honeywell is undergoing a detailed technical examination. The AAIB has enlisted the help of the Accredited Representative of the State of Manufacture to provide specialized assistance in recovering data from the damaged recorder. The Bureau has assured that it is strictly adhering to all technical and procedural guidelines to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation based solely on evidence.
Emphasizing transparency, the AAIB has pledged to share further details at an appropriate stage of the investigation. It has also urged all stakeholders and the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to progress following established procedures. The crash occurred around 9 a.m., nearly an hour after the aircraft departed from Mumbai. Visuals from the crash site depicted thick smoke and flames emerging from the wreckage, with local residents and emergency teams rushing to aid in rescue operations.
Ajit Pawar was en route to Baramati for a public meeting amidst ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections when the aircraft reportedly encountered difficulties during the landing process. Following the crash, security personnel and rescue teams were promptly dispatched to the scene. Initially, three bodies were transported to Baramati Medical College for identification procedures overseen by the Pune Superintendent of Police.
