New Delhi: India’s aircraft accident investigation authority has confirmed that both flight recorders recovered from the Learjet 45 involved in the fatal Baramati crash were damaged by intense fire following the accident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is conducting a detailed probe into the crash of aircraft VT SSK, which went down on 28 January 2026 in Baramati, Maharashtra. The inquiry is being carried out under the Aircraft Investigation of Accidents and Incidents Rules, 2017, and in line with international aviation safety standards outlined in ICAO Annex 13.
Officials said the aircraft was fitted with two independent flight recorders. Both devices were exposed to prolonged high temperatures during the post crash fire and suffered significant heat damage. Despite this, the Digital Flight Data Recorder manufactured by L3 Communications has been successfully accessed and its data downloaded at the bureau’s flight recorder laboratory.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder, produced by Honeywell, is currently undergoing technical examination. Investigators have sought specialised assistance from representatives of the country where the equipment was manufactured to support efforts to retrieve and analyse the remaining data.
Authorities have emphasised that the investigation is being conducted in a systematic and evidence based manner. They have urged stakeholders and the public to refrain from speculation while the analysis continues. Officials maintain that conclusions will only be drawn once the examination of all available evidence is complete.
Ajit Pawar was among five people who lost their lives in the crash. The chartered aircraft, travelling from Mumbai to Baramati, reportedly encountered trouble during landing and crash landed near the runway threshold. Pawar had been en route to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections at the time of the accident.
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