NEW DELHI: A preliminary report on the Learjet plane crash in Baramati that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others will be published within 30 days of the accident, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Thursday.In a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Ministry confirmed that the investigation is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in accordance with applicable legal and international aviation standards.“Continuing its previous issuance dated 17 February 2026, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterates that the investigation into the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) accident at Baramati on 28 January 2026 is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in accordance with the Aircraft (Accident and Accident Investigation) Rules 2025 and the Standards and Recommended Practices contained (SARP) in ICAO Annex 13.”
In a statement, the Ministry explained details about the two black boxes that were recovered from the plane, and that technical examination is underway for them. The ministry also stated, “The aircraft is equipped with two independent flight recorders. The digital flight data recorder (DFDR), manufactured by L3 Communications, was successfully downloaded at the AAIB facility in New Delhi. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) suffered thermal damage.”
Since they are manufactured by Honeywell, technical assistance was requested from the design/manufacture case, in line with paragraph 5.7 and Appendix D of ICAO Annex 13.
“Regarding the timeline for the investigation, the ministry explained: “A preliminary report will be issued within 30 days of the accident, in accordance with the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the final report will follow in due course.”The PIB statement also stressed that the AAIB probe is a technical and evidence-based investigation, involving systematic examination of the debris, operation and maintenance records, and laboratory testing of components where required.Regarding regulatory oversight, the ministry said that during 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted 51 regulatory audits of non-scheduled operators. It added that multiple monitoring of M/s VSR Ventures – the aircraft’s operator – had been carried out across areas such as aviation safety regulations, flight duty time restrictions, maintenance compliance (CAR M and CAR 145), documentation and terminal facilities, and that “all monitoring findings have been addressed and closed”.
“Following the incident, the ministry directed the DGCA to conduct a special audit of M/s VSR Ventures. According to a PIB release, the review includes “a comprehensive review of regulatory compliance, operational control systems, maintenance practices, crew training standards, safety management systems, and CVR/FDR monitoring.” The audit began on February 4 and is expected to conclude soon, with the findings reviewed and action taken in accordance with the DGCA’s Enforcement Policies and Procedures Manual.The Ministry has also asked the DGCA to conduct special audits of other major non-scheduled operators and airports involved in VIP/VVIP operations. These audits are being conducted in phases, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken where required.“The Ministry and its regulatory bodies remain fully committed to transparency, safety oversight and accountability. Stakeholders are requested to refrain from speculation and allow the legal investigation and regulatory processes to proceed in accordance with established procedures,” the statement read.The clarification comes amid political demands for a separate investigation. The NCP on Tuesday sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Pawar’s death.A delegation of senior party leaders, including his wife Sunetra Pawar, NCP national working president and MP Praful Patel, state president and MP Sunil Tatkare, Maharashtra Minister Hassan Musharraf and youth leader Parth Pawar, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a CBI-led probe.Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on the morning of January 28 when a Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) plane crashed while trying to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district.
