NEW DELHI: Data from the digital flight data recorder of Ajit Pawar’s crashed Learjet 45 near Baramati has been successfully downloaded at the Flight Recording Laboratory of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Thursday, adding that a preliminary report on the January 28 accident will be issued within 30 days in line with ICAO standards and that all investigative actions are being taken with complete transparency and professional integrity.Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died in the accident.The ministry said the AIIB’s investigation is technical and evidence-based. It includes systematic inspection of debris, operation and maintenance records, and laboratory testing of components when required.The Learjet 45 aircraft owned by VSR Ventures is equipped with a digital flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder.
Both devices were exposed to extreme heat and sustained fire damage. Data from the DFDR, manufactured by L3-Communications, was successfully downloaded at the AAIB’s Flight Recorder Laboratory.“The cockpit voice recorder (CVR), manufactured by Honeywell, is undergoing a detailed technical examination,” the AAIB said in a statement on February 17. “Assistance has been requested from the authorized representative of the country of manufacture to obtain specialist data retrieval support.”
Following the incident, the ministry directed the DGCA to conduct a special audit of VSR Ventures. The audit covers regulatory compliance, operational control systems, maintenance practices, crew training standards, safety management systems, and CVR and FDR monitoring.“The audit process began on February 4, 2026, and is expected to conclude soon. The results will be reviewed, and actions will be taken in accordance with the Enforcement Policies and Procedures Manual of the DGCA,” the ministry said.The regulator has also been asked to conduct special audits of other major non-scheduled operators and airports involved in VIP and VVIP operations. These audits are being conducted in phases and enforcement action will be taken where necessary.In 2025, the DGCA conducted 51 regulatory audits of non-scheduled operators, the ministry said. She added that multiple observations were conducted for VSR Ventures in areas including aviation safety systems, time restrictions for flight duties, maintenance compliance, documentation and terminal facilities, and all findings were addressed and closed.The ministry said: “We ask stakeholders to refrain from speculation and allow the legal investigation and regulatory processes to continue in accordance with established procedures,” stressing that all investigative and regulatory procedures are proceeding with full transparency and professional integrity.Meanwhile, political backlash intensified with new demands for an independent investigation.Nationalist Congress Party leader Rohit Pawar called on the Aviation Minister to step down, alleging a potential conflict of interest.“The owner of VSR Aviation recently held his son’s wedding in Jaipur, Rajasthan, which was attended by a key TDP leader. The Aviation Minister belongs to this party. If they manage to attend the wedding of the son of the owner of VSR Aviation, the investigation may not go in the right direction.”
“For this reason we believe he should not remain in this position during the investigation.”He also said: “Everyone should demand a different kind of investigation. If everyone conducts a transparent investigation, we can reach a proper result. Therefore, I welcome this step. Although it is a little late, it does not matter. What matters is that the investigation should be carried out by many organizations and investigative agencies, but besides that, some international agencies should also be involved.”NCP working president Praful Patel also demanded a CBI investigation into the incident.“After the tragic death of Ajit Pawar, we should also get information whether each side is being investigated in the right direction or not. Today, the AAIB is investigating the technical matters. I heard that the black box is also going to America to investigate. Maybe they could not conduct a comprehensive investigation here. The state government has also handed over the investigation to the CID. But after such a major incident involving such a senior leader, we feel that information should be obtained from every side.”
CBI is a trusted organization. If the investigation is conducted by the CBI, certain facts and aspects must also be taken into consideration. The Central Bank of Iraq can do this work.”
