Investigators recover flight data in Baramati crash probe
Analysis of cockpit voice recorder underway
Investigators have successfully retrieved crucial flight data from the Learjet 45 that crashed at Baramati on January 28, claiming the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Monday. The ministry added that assistance has been sought from the Accredited Representative of the State of Manufacture to help retrieve and analyse data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
In an official update, the ministry said the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) had been successfully downloaded at the Flight Recorder Laboratory of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The CVR is currently undergoing detailed technical examination.
The aircraft, registered as VT-SSK, was equipped with two independent flight recorders, commonly referred to as black boxes. Both devices were exposed to intense heat and fire after the crash and sustained significant damage, making the data recovery process challenging.
Despite the damage, investigators have managed to extract data from the DFDR. This recorder stores technical information such as altitude, speed, engine performance and control inputs. “The data will help experts reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash,” officials said.
Officials further stated that the CVR, which records cockpit conversations and ambient sounds, is still being examined. Due to the extent of fire damage, assistance has been sought from the Accredited Representative of the State of Manufacture to help retrieve and analyse the data.
The investigation is being conducted strictly under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and in accordance with international standards under ICAO Annex 13.
Officials said the probe would be thorough, objective and evidence-based. They urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation is underway.
The crash on January 28 claimed the lives of Ajit Pawar and four others, triggering calls for a swift and transparent probe. The Learjet 45 went down at Baramati under circumstances that remain under close technical scrutiny.
