Black Box from Ajit Pawar Crash Jet Arrives in Delhi for AAIB Probe

The black box of the business jet VT-SSK that crashed in Baramati on January 28, killing five people, has been recovered and transported to Delhi for analysis, officials said on Monday. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will decode the flight data and cockpit voice recordings as part of the ongoing probe into the fatal accident.

According to officials familiar with the investigation, the black box has already reached the AAIB laboratory in Delhi and has been sealed along with other critical evidence. The device is expected to provide crucial insights into the aircraft’s final moments, including flight parameters and cockpit communications, which are key to determining the cause of the crash.

The accident occurred when the jet attempted to land for a second time after executing a go-around at the Baramati airstrip. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his personal security officer Vidhit Jadhav, pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur, first officer Shambhavi Pathak, and cabin crew member Pinky Mali were killed in the crash. The aircraft was a Learjet 45 operated by Delhi-based non-scheduled operator VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd.

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Soon after the crash, teams from the AAIB in Delhi and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Mumbai Regional Office reached the site to begin investigations. Officials said all evidence, including air traffic control logs and recordings from the day of the accident, has been seized and placed under AAIB custody. The civil aviation ministry has not issued a public response on the latest development.

Investigators have also cleared the crash site, with officials confirming that the wreckage of the aircraft has been lifted and will be transported to Delhi for further examination. The AAIB and DGCA teams returned to their respective bases after completing on-site procedures over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Baramati airstrip remains closed for flight operations. Officials said the air traffic control services at the time of the accident were managed by Carver Aviation, one of the two flying training organisations operating at the facility. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is progressing steadily as multiple theories surrounding the crash continue to be examined.

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